More South Sudanese flee to neighbouring countries

South Sudanese are still streaming into neighbouring countries, especially Uganda, already hosting over 200 000 refugees from that country.

Just last week more than 8,300 refugees fled violence in South Sudan and crossed into neighboring Uganda in a single day, setting a one-day record for this year.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said host facilities are already suffering with shortages of healthcare supplies and facilities and space for the new arrivals.

“Resources is also a big challenge because we need to establish more reception centers, we need to establish also more settlements, we don’t know how long this situation will continue so we have to be preparing for the worst scenario,” said Hilamo Hussein Obsiye, Head of UNCR,West Nile sub-office.

The refugees meanwhile are battling to come to terms with the loss that came with fighting which erupted some two weeks ago.

“I feel even to cry because everything — we lost our property. And then you go back, you go you take – these people are taking you to the bush. You started to make a house, you started even to look for the school, when the people started – even foundations are very difficult for us,” said one woman.

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Monday announced that former rebel leader Riek Machar had been replaced as vice-president, threatening a peace deal signed a peace deal signed last year.

Reuters