UN says over 183,000 arrive in South Sudan from Sudan amid displacement

(Photo Credit | HRW)

JUBA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Violent clashes which erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan have forced more than 183,000 individuals into South Sudan, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Monday.

The UN agency said over 40,000 school-age children have been displaced and are out of education, exposed to disease, malnutrition and exploitation since the Sudan crisis began on April 15.

"The situation is dire, and the youngest victims, the children, bear the brunt," the OCHA said in its latest situation Update released in the South Sudanese capital of Juba as the conflict entered its 100th day.

According to the UN agency, in collaboration with South Sudan's Relief and Rehabilitation Committee (RRC), partners have continued to facilitate onward transportation assistance to vulnerable returnees, refugees, and third-country nationals arriving from Sudan.

It said a total of 110,173 individuals have been moved, including 86,696 individuals who have been assisted by the RRC and humanitarian partners and 22,937 individuals who have moved through self-organized means.

The OCHA said humanitarian efforts are underway to assist the vulnerable populations, but more resources and support are urgently needed.

"The situation demands immediate action and collaboration to provide life-saving aid, including food, clean water, sanitation, and medical care," it said.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, over 3.3 million people have been displaced within the country and across borders since fighting broke out in Sudan in mid-April. It said the escalation of the conflict in Khartoum, and in the Darfur and Kordofan regions, has triggered massive internal displacement, resulting in civilian casualties and deaths. ■