Over 2,000 Sudanese Seek Refuge In Yumbe

By Emmy Allio HUNGER and harsh conditions in southern Sudan have forced over 2,000 Sudanese to seek refugee in Yumbe district since February 10. A statement from the Uganda office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said since Sunday last week, 2,041 Sudanese entered the district bringing to 194,613 the total number of Sudanese refugees in the country. According to the UNHCR Kampala spokeswoman, Bushra Jafar Malik, there were a total of 192,572 Sudanese refugees in the country by the end of January. The UNHCR statement said the new refugees came from Kirwa, Mangalatore and Kansuk Camps for the internally displaced in southern Sudan. "They crossed due to huinger. The new group of arrivals consists of mainly women, girls and children," read the statement. UNHCR also said the refugees were provided with dry rations like biscuits and milk. "The process of registration is still in progress and the total number of recognised refugees will be available to us at the completion of this process," UNHCR said. The statement said 1500 new refugees had been taken to camps. Ends