S. Sudanese refugees flee fighting, head to Kenya refugee camp

By Yassin Juma

NAIROBI, Kenya 

At least 1,200 refugees fleeing fresh fighting in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State have arrived at the Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya, an official from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) confirmed Tuesday.

"The refugees have arrived at the camp from late Monday. By today, their number should be more than 1,200," UNHCR official Emmanuel Nyamweya told Anadolu Agency. "The situation in Upper Nile State doesn't look good at the moment, so we’re expecting more refugees to seek safety here."

Recent fighting between South Sudanese government troops and rebel forces has led to the displacement of hundreds of people.

The Kakuma refugee camp is located in northern Kenya’s Turkana county, which shares a border with South Sudan.

"The county needs more assistance from Nairobi and charity groups must be able to assist these refugees. The UN is overwhelmed by the influx of refugees," John Ekit, a Turkana county official, told Anadolu Agency by phone.

The camp is currently home to more than 100,000 people, mainly hailing from South Sudan. UNHCR officials warn that the camp is being overwhelmed by the rising numbers of refugees.