File: Sudanese Refugees wait for food distribution at a Maban Camp - June 2013. Photo: Joakino Francis/EyeRadio.

The United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees says it is working to defuse tensions between the Sudanese refugees and the local community in Upper Nile State Maban County.

Last week, Maban county Authority asked the UNHCR to move out more than 60,000 refugees in Yusuf Batil and Gendrassa camps within two months.

According to UNCHR senior relation officer, Teresa Ongaro, there are concessions recently between the refugees and the locals

“On 20^th of March, UNCHR met with the county commissioner and with refugees’ leaders and members of the host community and they had a dialogue which helped defuse the tension,” said Teresa.

“The commissioner …cautioned youth from both sides against involvement in unlawful activities and he urged leaders not to codon unlawful behaviors.”

Madam Teresa added that the presence of refugees in Maban County is of a great help to the community.

“Local communities benefit from the services provided for refugees, among them is notably health [sector] where the humanitarian support has helped enhance the capacity of hospital which is used by the local community as well and things like water points.

There are almost 1 hundred and twenty five thousands Sudanese refugees Maban County.