The UN High Commissioner for Refugees has called for an end to the conflict in South Sudan.

Filippo Grandi made the remarks after he visited South Sudanese refugees in the region, including Ethiopia, Uganda, and the Sudan.

During his visit to Al-Nimir refugee camp in Sudan’s East Darfur, Mr. Grandi said a long period of exile lies ahead for South Sudanese refugees fleeing the violence.

The Italian diplomat, who was addressing the media in Khartoum, urged the conflicting parties and the regional leaders to exert efforts to restore peace in the country.

“My second [visit’s] purpose is to remind the international community that it’s urgent to put an end for the conflict in South Sudan and this is the responsibility, first, of all the of the leadership of South Sudan and of the opposition as well,” Mr Grandi said.

“But it’s also important that states in the region, especially the IGAD community, actively produce peace with the support of the international community.”

Over a million South Sudanese refugees have fled to the neighboring countries, with Uganda alone hosting 1 million.

More than 417,000 South Sudanese refugees are sheltering in Sudan since conflict broke out in December 2013, according to the UN Refugee Agency.

Last month, the head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan expressed “grave concern” at the ongoing situation in Pagak town, a stronghold for opposition forces in the Upper Nile region.

Thousands of civilians have reportedly fled to the neighboring Ethiopia.