A group of humanitarian organizations monitoring the South Sudan crisis says 80 people including 57 children have been killed in Leer County, Unity State, since the beginning of this month.

The group that calls itself the Protection Cluster claims that 29 of the children drowned after running into swamps to hide from attacks in Leer County.

It also says there were reports of widespread use of sexual violence, including more than 50 rape cases in the area.

Continued fighting in Unity State has led some aid organizations to suspend their activities in the area.

The U.N. and human rights groups have documented widespread abuses against civilians, including rapes and killings by government soldiers and the opposition, in the area this year.

“Widespread sexual violence was also reported, with contacts on the ground reporting over 50 cases of rape,” says the report by the Protection Cluster.

“IDPs (internally displaced people) further reported that Government forces shot into swamps at fleeing civilians, burned houses, and abducted women and children.”

As a result of this new wave of violence, it is estimated that nearly 1,200 children are unaccompanied and separated in southern and central Unity State, according to the group.

The humanitarian group consists of 60 local and international organizations.