UNHCR alarmed over new arrivals from Sudan into South Sudan
December 11, 2024 (GENEVA) – The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed concerns over the recent surge of people arriving in South Sudan in need of protection and assistance, with tens of thousands of people fleeing fresh violence in border areas of Sudan.
In a statement, the agency said more than 20,000 Sudanese from border villages crossed into South Sudan last week, tripling the number of daily arrivals compared to previous weeks.
An additional estimated 7,000-10,000 have arrived since Saturday, including more South Sudanese refugees leaving the camps in Sudan’s White Nile State where they have been residing.
According to UNHCR, the majority of the displaced people are vulnerable women and children.
The UN agency also expressed concerns that many are arriving at informal crossing points which are extremely difficult for UNHCR and its partners to access, yet the displaced are in need of life-saving humanitarian support, with water and health care considered the most urgent needs.
UNHCR said a team that visited the border on Sunday met thousands of people walking along the 40-kilometre road between the border and the town of Renk in an uninterrupted line. Families had also stopped by the side of the road, with some receiving food and water from local communities.
Working together with its partners, however, the UN agency is reportedly scaling up efforts to support new arrivals and strengthen basic services, but severe underfunding remains a challenge.
Owing to the increased hostilities involving the rival forces in Sudan’s conflict, UNHCR urges respect of international humanitarian law and that camps must be safe for those fleeing violence.
White Nile State, UNHCR says, hosts over 400,000 South Sudanese refugees in 10 refugee camps and more than 650,000 displaced Sudanese who have fled conflict in other parts of the country.
According to the UN, since the start of the war in Sudan in April 2023, this southern State has been a safe haven for those escaping violence in other parts of the country. Following the escalation of hostilities, many refugees have moved from the three most affected camps, with some heading to South Sudan and others moving across the Nile to the seven camps that remain unaffected.
Also, reports of military activity and heightened tension at the Joda border crossing with South Sudan is deeply concerning. This critical crossing point between Sudan and South Sudan serves as a vital lifeline for civilians fleeing violence and for humanitarian operations in White Nile State.
UNHCR says an estimated 900,000 people have crossed into South Sudan since the start of the conflict in neighbouring Sudan, with more than 700,000 said to have used the Joda border crossing.
The UN agency stressed the need to ensure the border crossing is secure and open for those seeking safety and for providing emergency aid to displaced populations on both sides of the border.
It urgently called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to protect civilian lives and ensure the continuation of humanitarian assistance amid concerns that only about 30 per cent of the Regional Refugee Response Plan has been funded as the year come to an end.
Since the war in Sudan began in April 2023, UNHCR says, more than 12 million people have been displaced, including over 3 million who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.
(ST)