- Title: SUDAN: South Sudanese fleeing conflict find refuge in Sudan
- Date: 27th January 2014
- Summary: WHITE NILE STATE NEAR SOUTH SUDAN BORDER, SUDAN (JANUARY 26, 2014) (REUTERS) SOUTH SUDANESE CITIZEN FIXING A TENT WOMAN WITH HER CHILDREN IN FRONT OF A TENT CHILD REMOVING A THORN FROM HIS HEAD REFUGEES' TENTS CLOTHES PACKED IN SACKS WOMAN HANGING WASHED CLOTHES ON A TREE CLOTHES FIXED ON THORNY TREES SUDANESE RED CRESCENT OFFICIAL FOR 'KILO 10' CAMP, AMAN TAITAL, TALKING
- Embargoed: 11th February 2014 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Sudan
- Country: Sudan
- Topics: International Relations,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA2KV8WXBJW8YVPY3D9VBMPOVK4
- Story Text: Nearly 8,000 South Sudanese citizens have fled violence in their country and have sought refuge in Sudan, the country that South Sudan split from in July 2011.
There has been conflict in the past between South Sudan and Sudan, over the sharing and splitting of revenue from oil fields in South Sudan's Upper Nile State, but relations between the former foes have now stabilised.
Some 20 kilometres from the South Sudan border, in Sudan's White Nile State, the Khartoum government, with help form the Red Crescent, has set up a camp called 'Kilo 10' to help the South Sudanese citizens.
Aman Taital, an official for the Red Crescent in Sudan told Reuters that the Sudanese government has instructed the South Sudanese refugees to be classed as Internally Displaced People (IDPs) rather than refugees, which gives them the same rights and right of movement as a Sudanese citizens.
"Now the number of South Sudan IDPs here, and I don't say refugees according to the directives of the president to consider them as first class citizens. There are now 8,000 staying here in 'Kilo 10' waiting site." he said.
Taital said that his organisation was able to provide shelter but was hoping to find support from other international bodies to provide better water.
"We have managed to provide the tents and shelters. We are now arranging to provide potable water, which is not according to the international standards, but it is the same water that people like me or anyone drinks." he said, "We will use this water till our capabilities improve or we find support from a foreign agency to provide better health services according to international standards."
Kilo 10 has been set up to provide immediate care to those fleeing South Sudan. The people will then be moving on to Sudanese towns and cites across the country. Those arriving sick have been transferred to local hospitals rather than receive treatment in the camp.
One South Sudanese citizen in Kilo 10 explained that the fighting had divided the nation on ethnic lines, and so people had to escape.
"The Dinka and Nuer clashed. The people fled to the jungle and from there they came on foot to the north (Sudan)." Njabi Jamon said.
While Yagoub Lowegi called on the South Sudan leadership to work out their problems peacefully because of the effect it was having on the people.
"I advise the people in South Sudan to listen to the voice of wisdom and sit round one table," Lowegi said, "Because what happened did not affect only them, ordinary citizens were affected more."
With shelter and basic services being provided in the camp, some South Sudanese were just grateful to have left the violence behind.
"People in Kilo 10 Assembling Area welcomed us and they brought us to this place, they were accommodating and fed us, as well as providing us with Red Crescent tents and shelter." Mony Kajoun said, "We thank them very much, thank God we are safe here and in peace."
United Nations (UN) estimates put the number of people internally displaced within South Sudan by the violence as close to half a million, with almost 90,000 sheltering in refugee camps in neighbouring countries.
The UN says thousands of people have been killed in a month of clashes pitting troops loyal to President Salva Kiir against rebels supporting Riek Machar, who was sacked as vice president in July last year.
Initially triggered by a political row in December, battle lines have increasingly followed ethnic lines with Kiir's Dinka battling Machar's Nuer.
A ceasefire deal was signed by the two sides on Thursday (January 23) calling on a cessation of hostilities within 24 hours, but both the government and rebel forces have accused each other of breaching the truce. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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