Thousands displaced by S Sudan conflict

Nairobi - More than 522 000 refugees who have fled their homes in South Sudan scatter in four Eastern Africa countries, the United Nations (UN) humanitarian agency said on Monday.

There is an increase of over 20 000 people into neighbouring countries in the last two months, a 4 percent up, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Eastern Africa said in its latest report.

According to OCHA, the number of refugees uprooted are 200 000 in Ethiopia, 50 000 in Kenya, 150 000 in Uganda, and 150 000 in Sudan.

The UN agency warned that the deteriorating food insecurity situation in South Sudan is expected to further increase the number of refugees entering Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda.

“Renewed fighting and inter-communal violence in Upper Nile, Lakes and Unity States has resulted into increased displacement across the region and influx into Malakal and Bentiu Protection of Civilians (PoC) sites,” it said.

South Sudan has been plagued with a conflict between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his rival and former deputy, Riek Machar, since December, 2013.

Fighting has swept the oil-rich Greater Nile region, particularly the three states of Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei.

The South Sudanese refugee population in Kenya’s Kakuma camp has more than doubled from 45 239 to 90 592 since the fighting erupted, the agency said.

“The main challenge is unavailability of land to accommodate new arrivals and inadequate supply of drinking water,” it said, adding that progress has been made after extensive consultations with the county government and the host community for new land.

The United States had provided 15.4 million US dollars to the World Food Programme Uganda to provide support for over 150 000 refugees through April-July hunger gap.

The agency added there has been a dramatic increase of over 10 000 South Sudanese refugees in Sudan due to renewed fighting in Upper Nile state since February.

Regional leaders are pushing the two South Sudanese rival leaders to meet in a final round of negotiations expected to resume this month in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

Sanctions including travel ban, asset freeze and arm embargo would be imposed if no peace agreement reached.

Xinhua