JUBA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- About 5,000 South Sudanese have fled new violence in the country's Central Equatorial State and crossed into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the UN refugee agency said on Tuesday.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said the refugees have arrived in several border villages near the town of Ingbokolo, in northeastern DRC's Ituri province after fleeing fresh clashes which started on Jan. 19 between the army and one of the rebel groups -- the National Salvation Front (NAS).
"Over the past few days thousands of desperate people have been crossing the border to escape fighting and violence against civilians. There are reports that an additional 8,000 people are displaced inside South Sudan, on the outskirts of the town of Yei," UNHCR said in a statement.
UNHCR reiterated its call for all parties to the conflict to take all possible action to ensure the safety of civilians and their freedom of movement, and to guarantee safe routes for civilians to leave conflict areas.
The UNHCR said the clashes in the Central Equatoria State which borders DRC and Uganda are blocking humanitarian access to the affected areas.
"In DRC, those fleeing the violence arrived by foot over the weekend. Most are women, children and the elderly. They arrived exhausted, hungry and thirsty. Among them are people suffering malaria or other illnesses," said the UN refugee agency.
The UN agency said it has deployed more staff to Ituri to register refugees and support their possible relocation.
"However, we need funds to set up shelters and provide assistance including food, water and medical services in the nearest refugee settlement Biringi. Biringi is located further south and has an existing population of over 6,000 South Sudanese refugees," it said.
According to UNHCR, the conflict in South Sudan has created over 2.2 million refugees since 2013.
