São Paulo – The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced last Friday (13th) that it needs US$ 10 million in order to go on receiving and providing minimal living conditions to Sudanese refugees arriving in South Sudan.
Since September 2011, approximately 93,000 people have left Sudan to seek refuge in the neighbouring country. According to the UN Radio, the two countries are fighting over control of an oil-rich region in the Blue Nile state.
According to IOM spokesperson Jumbe Omari Jumbe, the refugees are arriving at the camps “in good shape although they’ve been travelling on foot for 4 or 5 days.” The victims are received with water, food, personal hygiene items and shelter. According to Jumbe, in the last week alone 3,000 refugees arrived at the field of Doro, approximately 20 kilometres away from the border.
South Sudan separated from the neighbouring country and became independent in July 2011. Ever since, the two countries are fighting over oil-rich areas, especially in the Abyei area. The locals are fleeing aerial attacks.
Last Thursday (12th), the United Nations Security Council called on South Sudan to withdraw its troops from the Heglig region (in Sudan) and for Sudan to stop the bombings. The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-Moon, urged the presidents of Sudan, Omar Al-Bashir, and of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, to meet and reach a consensus. “This oil should be used for their coming prosperity,” Ki-Moon said.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
