Over 80,000 Sudanese refugees camp in Upper Nile state: UNHCR
Juba, 23, 2012 (JUBA) - The numbers of Sudanese refugees crossing the border into South Sudan increased, in the last few days from 1,500 to 10,000, bringing the over 80,000 the total numbers currently in Upper Nile state, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) said. The refugees, mainly from Blue Nile state reportedly converged near the border looking exhausted from long journeys, having walked for several days after fleeing their villages in the wake of continuing fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N). “Yesterday [Tuesday] we moved the first 400 refugees away from the border. Today [Wednesday] another convoy has left with 400 refugees,” said Frederic Cussigh, UNHCR’s head of operations in a statement extended to Sudan Tribune. He also confirmed that all refugees were receiving medical attention and food parcels to last five days before they leave the border area, with unconfirmed reports saying thousands of refugees are still en route to South Sudan. UNHCR has further expected concerns that commencement of the rainy season is likely to worsen the road conditions, a convoy which reportedly took four hours to cover a 20km stretch, forcing refugees on board had to spend the night in Jamam, Upper Nile. “They are now on their way to Yusuf Batil. Convoy vehicles require a full day to return to Elfoj for the next round,” noted Cussigh. The UN refugee agency, according to the statement, has set up 300 tents in Yusuf Batil in; the third refugee settlement camp established in Upper Nile after Doro and Jaman to accommodate new arrivals, who are usually registered before non-food items are distributed to them. Yusuf Batil, it says, was established in a bid to reduce pressure on Jaman’s limited water supply and prevent possible outbreak of diseases. With the rapidly growing refugee population, UNHCR notes that availability of potable water remains one of the “critical” issues confronting humanitarian actors in Upper Nile state. The situation, it says, could worsen in South Sudan, where only 5% of the general population, according to UN indicators, has access to a regular supply of clean water. Meanwhile, a landmark agreement has reportedly been reached among humanitarian partners on the prospect of constructing 14 km of pipeline to guarantee the continued supply of water to Jamam. “The situation in Upper Nile is striking. The combination of black cotton soil and lack of adequate drilling equipment and consumables have thus far hampered extensive efforts to alleviate water shortages in refugee settlements,” Andrea Cippa, UNHCR’s regional water and sanitation coordinator notes in the statement. “As part of the continuing effort to identify water sources, we airlifted two rigs to Yusuf Batil last week following favorable hydrogeological surveillance. We are also continuing drilling efforts in the Doro and Jamam settlements,” he added. However, to further address the possible outbreak of water-related disease, medical and other humanitarian actors have reportedly drawn up contingency plans, and pre-positioned medical supplies and treatment units. South Sudan, according to UNHCR, is currently hosting close to 150,000 refugees in the states of Central Equatoria (10,900), Jonglei (3,500), Unity (38,300), Upper Nile (80,000) and Western Equatoria (15,600), with majority of them reportedly originating from Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia and Sudan. (ST) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob?hl=en.
