The current fighting is between the troops of President Salva Kiir and those who are loyal to Riek Machar, the former vice president. Both sides have signed peace deals but those deals have done little to stop the fighting.
Each week South Sudan refugee camps are seeing arrival rates of more than 500 people fleeing attacks in the Nuba Mountains. It is estimated that by June there will be 15,000 people begging for help. If this is the case there are serious concerns that the needs of the masses will not be met unless more aid arrives.
By truck and foot refugees have come seeking a safe haven from air and ground attacks. Inside the camps hot meals are offered and educational opportunities for the young.
The funding on hand would take care of 25,000 people, the number that had been in the planning figures. Since December 23 the arrival of new refugees has increased over 100 percent compared to the same time frame of 2013.
In a UN news release William Spindler, spokesman at the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said, “Refugees have also cited the lack of livelihood opportunities and education in their areas of origin as reasons for leaving. The majority arrived in trucks while others came on foot. Nearly 70 percent of new arrivals are children, and an estimated 10 percent suffer from malnutrition and measles.”
New arrivals undergo a medical exam and measles vaccine before entering the camps. 80 percent of the refugees have been transported from the Yida camp to Ajuong Thok in an effect to reduce overcrowding. As a result of the relocations Ajuong Thok is packed with 18,000. The camp has a capacity for 25,000.
South Sudan has 1.8 million internally displaced people and almost 250,000 refugees.
