The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported a rapid escalation of violence in South Sudan’s northern counties of Nasir and Ulang, forcing more than 10,000 individuals to seek refuge in neighboring Ethiopia.
As of March 11, over 10,000 people had crossed into Ethiopia’s Gambella Region, marking a sharp increase from 6,900 just days earlier on March 6, according to a statement issued by UNHCR on Wednesday evening.
“The numbers are increasing at an alarming rate, and local authorities are tracking and assisting displaced individuals as they disperse across various communities, particularly in the Burbiey and Matar areas,” the agency noted.
The violence intensified in Nasir, a strategic town, following the March 3 arrest of senior government and military officials from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), led by South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar.
The hostilities have resulted in the deaths of more than 20 individuals, with several others injured on the outskirts of Nasir near the South Sudan-Ethiopia border. The situation further deteriorated on March 7 when a general and dozens of soldiers from the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), along with one United Nations personnel, were killed. This occurred when the White Army, a militia group aligned with the opposition, opened fire on a UN helicopter during an evacuation mission in Nasir, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.
UNHCR estimates that since mid-February, tens of thousands of people have been displaced within South Sudan, with 50,000 people newly displaced in Nasir and 34,000 in Ulang.
Most of the new arrivals in Ethiopia have entered through Wanthoa, traveling via Burbiey to Matar. Many have sought refuge within host communities, while others are sheltering in makeshift encampments constructed from plastic sheeting.
Andrew Mbogori, UNHCR’s country representative in Ethiopia, has emphasized the urgent need for additional resources to address the growing humanitarian crisis. “The absorption capacity in the border areas is severely overstretched, and local authorities are facing significant challenges in managing the crisis. The numbers are expected to continue rising, creating a more urgent need for assistance,” Mbogori stated.
UNHCR has completed a risk analysis to evaluate potential scenarios and is implementing mitigation measures to address the crisis on the ground. The agency continues to coordinate with local authorities and humanitarian partners to provide essential aid, including food, shelter, and medical support, to affected populations.
The ongoing conflict in South Sudan underscores the fragile security situation in the region, further exacerbating displacement and humanitarian challenges for both the host and refugee communities.
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