UNHCR reports an alarming rise in violence in South Sudan, leading to over 10,000 refugees fleeing to Ethiopia. Local authorities are assisting displaced persons, primarily in the Burbiey and Matar areas. The situation poses significant challenges in resource management, prompting calls for increased support from humanitarian organizations.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported a significant escalation of violence in South Sudan’s northern counties of Nasir and Ulang, resulting in over 10,000 individuals fleeing to Ethiopia. This figure rose from 6,900 just days earlier, indicating a rapid increase in displacement. Local authorities in Ethiopia’s Gambella Region are actively tracking and assisting these displaced individuals as they settle in various communities, particularly in the Burbiey and Matar areas.
Fighting in Nasir intensified following March 3, leading to the capture of high-ranking officials from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition, which is led by First Vice President Riek Machar. The conflict has resulted in at least 20 fatalities and numerous injuries on the outskirts of Nasir, adjacent to the South Sudan-Ethiopia border.
Notably, on March 7, a tragic incident occurred when a general, several soldiers from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, and one UN personnel were killed during a militia attack while boarding a UN evacuation helicopter in Nasir. The ongoing violence, which began in mid-February, has displaced tens of thousands, with 50,000 individuals affected in Nasir and an additional 34,000 in Ulang.
Most new arrivals in Ethiopia are filtering through Wanthoa, transiting via Burbiey to Matar. While some seek shelter in local communities, others are forced into makeshift accommodations constructed from plastic sheeting, as reported by UNHCR. Andrew Mbogori, UNHCR’s representative in Ethiopia, emphasized the dire need for resources, stating that the capacity of border areas to absorb these displaced populations is severely overstretched.
UNHCR teams have conducted a risk analysis and are enacting mitigation strategies to respond effectively to this crisis, although expectations suggest that the number of displaced individuals will continue to rise, necessitating urgent assistance.
In summary, the escalating violence in South Sudan has precipitated a humanitarian crisis, with over 10,000 individuals fleeing to Ethiopia in search of safety. UNHCR indicates that local resources are being strained while the needs of displaced populations grow. The situation remains fluid and requires immediate attention and support to manage the influx of displaced individuals and provide necessary aid.
Original Source: www.socialnews.xyz
