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Crisis in Sudan - Background
Sudanese in Suffering
Since June 2011, heavy fighting between the Sudanese armed forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states has driven tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees into Ethiopia and the newly independent South Sudan.
Most have been arriving in remote areas of Ethiopia's Benishangul-Gumuz state and in South Sudan's Unity and Upper Nile states. In Upper Nile, UNHCR has relocated some 20,000 refugees from dangerous border sites since early January, moving them to four new settlements. In Ethiopia, the agency is working at establishing a third camp to accommodate the growing Sudanese influx.
UNHCR anticipates continuing arrivals over the coming months with clashes continuing and humanitarian conditions deteriorating in the conflict zones. The agency has appealed for US$145 million to fund its emergency response. The funds will pay for the urgent delivery of relief supplies and to move refugees away to the camps. UNHCR will also build and service additional refugee settlements, improve road access and stockpile relief supplies ahead of the rainy season starting in April.
