The border region of Abyei has been contested since South Sudan gained independence in 2011. (Courtesy).

Hundreds of returnees are in dire need of humanitarian assistance after fleeing the conflict in Sudan with bare hands, the spokesperson of the Abyei Administrative Area has said.

Bol Koch Aguer says over 120 returnee households came from the Western Kordofan route through the El Fula area.

According to him, the families faced intimidation and harassment by armed Sudanese forces while on their way to Ayei.

Bol says the returnees are in desperate need of food, shelter, and medicines

He added that most of them are living in crowded facilities.

“We have some issues here concerning our returnees, who are coming back from Khartoum,” said Koch. “They are in dire need of humanitarian assistance due to this economic hardship and crisis.”

“They have been facing some issues on the road but we don’t know if those people are exactly from Rapid Support forces or Sudan Army Forces,” he said.  “Their belonging has been looted and these are the complaints that we are receiving from them every day.”

“The returnees are now 120 families and those who have been registered with RRC and one family can contain 5 children.”

Bol also said the number of arrivals from El Fula is still increasing due to the difficult situation at the far-flung border town.

Since the conflict erupted between Sudan’s rival military factions, more than 100,000 people have crossed into South Sudan, according to the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR.