More than 81,000 people displaced by crisis in South Sudan: UN body

"Access to people in need outside the UN Peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) bases - where an estimated 45,000 have sought refuge - is limited due to ongoing insecurity," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the Public Information Officer of UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs on Tuesday in a written statement on the escalating humanitarian crisis in South Sudan.

Laerke said "an estimated 81,000 people have been displaced by the crisis in South Sudan, but the real number is likely to be higher."

"The humanitarian response to the 20,000 displaced people in two UNMISS bases in Juba is gaining momentum with registration underway and food distributions ongoing; over 2,200 families received food on 22 and 23 December in Juba. Food assistance has also reached 7,000 civilians sheltering at the UNMISS base in Bentiu, Unity State, on 22 December," Laerke said.

Displaced families in Juba have also received mosquito nets, blankets, sleeping mats, soap and kitchen sets, and additional non-food items are being pre-positioned for distribution in the coming days, Laerke also noted.