UNHCR reports over 10,000 people have fled South Sudan to Ethiopia due to escalating violence in Nasir and Ulang. The numbers surged from 6,900 earlier this month, with severe implications for local authorities and displaced populations in the border areas. UNHCR urges for more resources to manage the crisis effectively.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported a significant increase in the number of individuals fleeing violence in South Sudan, specifically from the northern counties of Nasir and Ulang, with over 10,000 people crossing into Ethiopia. This figure rose from 6,900 just days prior, highlighting the urgency of the situation, according to a UNHCR statement on March 14.
The escalation of fighting in Nasir, a strategically important town, began intensifying after March 3, resulting in the arrest of key military and government officials from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition. Fatalities exceeded 20, with numerous injuries reported near the South Sudan-Ethiopia border.
Furthermore, on March 7, a militia known as the White Army attacked while individuals were being evacuated by a UN helicopter in Nasir, leading to casualties including a general, soldiers of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, and one UN personnel, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The UNHCR noted that tens of thousands within South Sudan have been displaced since mid-February, with an estimated 50,000 newly displaced in Nasir and an additional 34,000 in Ulang. Many of the new arrivals in Ethiopia are entering through Wanthoa and moving towards Burbiey and Matar, seeking shelter within host communities and makeshift shelters.
The ongoing violence in South Sudan has prompted a humanitarian crisis, leading to over 10,000 individuals seeking refuge in Ethiopia. The situation is accelerating, and local authorities are struggling to manage the influx of displaced persons. UNHCR calls for increased resources to address immediate needs, as projections indicate that the number of displaced may continuously rise.
Original Source: www.socialnews.xyz
