Nearly 85,000 South Sudanese people flee to Sudan: UN

, May 30: The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says the aid groups have reported that nearly 85,000 people have fled the violence in South Sudan to Sudan since mid-December 2013, a UN spokesperson said here on Thursday.

"More than one third of them are at the Kilo 10 (reception ) site in Sudan's White Nile State, many with limited access to clean water and sanitation," Xinhua quoted Stephane Dujarric as saying during a daily briefing here.

With the onset of the rainy season, humanitarian organisations are concerned about access and conditions at Kilo 10, which is prone to flooding, Dujarric said. "They are working with the Government of Sudan to help relocate the South Sudanese to safer areas."

"Humanitarian organisations continue to provide assistance to the South Sudanese arrivals in Sudan," he said. "They have reached over 50,000 people with aid, including food and water, since mid- December. The humanitarian appeal to help the South Sudanese in Sudan is just 36 percent funded."

The fighting in South Sudan broke out last December when clashes erupted between soldiers loyal to Kiir and others loyal to Machar. Kiir accused Machar of leading a coup against him, a charge Machar denied.

IANS