The UNHCR reports that over 10,000 people have fled violence in South Sudan’s Nasir and Ulang counties into Ethiopia. Local authorities are assisting the displaced, and numbers are expected to rise. Andrew Mbogori from UNHCR highlights the urgent need for resources to manage the crisis effectively.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported a significant increase in violence in South Sudan, particularly in the northern counties of Nasir and Ulang, which has led to over 10,000 individuals fleeing to Ethiopia. This figure has risen sharply from 6,900 on March 6 to more than 10,000 as of March 13, necessitating urgent humanitarian response in the region.
Local authorities in Ethiopia’s Gambella Region are currently tracking and assisting the displaced populations, who have spread across several communities, especially in the Burbiey and Matar areas. The heightened conflict in Nasir, a key strategic area, intensified following March 3, resulting in the detention of senior officials from the opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition, led by First Vice President Riek Machar.
Casualties have been reported with over 20 deaths and numerous injuries occurring at the border of South Sudan and Ethiopia due to escalating violence. The violence escalated on March 7 when a militia, the White Army, attacked, resulting in the fatalities of a general, several soldiers, and a UN personnel during a rescue mission.
The UNHCR has indicated that the disruption has caused significant internal displacement, with recent figures revealing 50,000 individuals newly displaced in Nasir and 34,000 in Ulang. Many of the new arrivals are entering Ethiopia through Wanthoa and are securing shelter in host communities or makeshift accommodations containing plastic sheeting.
Andrew Mbogori, the UNHCR representative in Ethiopia, emphasized the dire need for increased resources to effectively address these escalating humanitarian needs, stating, “The absorption capacity in the border areas is severely overstretched, and local authorities are facing significant challenges in managing the crisis.” UNHCR’s teams are actively implementing strategies to alleviate risks associated with the situation on the ground.
The ongoing violence in South Sudan has forced over 10,000 people to seek refuge in Ethiopia, highlighting a humanitarian crisis that is rapidly evolving. Local authorities face challenges in accommodating the influx, and urgent assistance is needed to support both the displaced populations and host communities. UNHCR is analyzing risks and preparing to implement necessary measures to mitigate the worsening conditions as numbers continue to increase.
Original Source: www.socialnews.xyz
