Sudan conflict forces nearly 300,000 people in South Sudan: UN

October 3, 2023 (RENK) – 291,224 individuals crossed the border into South Sudan since fighting erupted in Sudan in mid-April 2023, the UN humanitarian agency (OCHA) said.

The influx of new arrivals, comprising of returnees, refugees and asylum-seekers is projected to continue, with Joda (Renk) border considered to be the main point of entry.

“Almost 30,000 of the arrivals are refugees and asylum-seekers, with the majority going to Aweil (almost 9,200), Maban (over 8,100) and Juba (almost 8,000),” OCHA said in its latest update spanning up to September 29.

According to the UN humanitarian body, 65% of the refugees and asylum-seekers who entered through Joda originate from Sudan’s capital, Khartoum and 14% from White Nile.

It further noted that a joint protection team of the UN migration agency (IOM) and the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) continue to be present at the main points of entry.

“To maintain family unity, vulnerable individuals and their family members are prioritized for transportation while those in need of immediate medical attention or psychological first aid are referred to health or mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) personnel, respectively,” OCHA noted.

Meanwhile, the intercommunal tensions and violence have reportedly been increasing in several areas including Abyei, Bentiu, Rotriak and Panakuach.

“This is being closely monitored to assess the impact on the overall situation,” said OCHA

Armed forces build-up in and around Madeni town of Jazeera state has been observed.

This, OCHA stressed,  is causing security concerns in the area and those able to move on their own are moving to Joda.

More than 20 million people across Sudan are acutely food insecure and need food and livelihood assistance between July and September 2023, according to the latest integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) on the war-torn country.

(ST)