The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has raised concerns over a sharp increase in people fleeing violence in Sudan and crossing into South Sudan.
UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado reported that over 20,000 Sudanese from border villages arrived in South Sudan last week, tripling the daily arrival rate compared to prior weeks. Between 7,000 and 10,000 individuals, mostly women and children, are now crossing the border daily, including South Sudanese refugees returning from camps in Sudan’s White Nile State.
Urgent needs include water and healthcare, especially amid a cholera outbreak. Overcrowding at transit centers in Renk has intensified, with nearly 17,000 people sheltering there, up by 4,000 in two weeks.
Violence within Sudan continues to endanger civilians near refugee camps, hampering relief efforts. Since the conflict erupted in April 2023, over 12 million people have been displaced, with more than 3 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries, making it one of the world’s largest displacement crises.