UNICEF says the increasing number of internally displaced persons in the UN base in Bentiu town has caused a shortage of clean drinking water.

Over 23,000 civilians are said to have sought refuge in the UN protection site after the forces of the SPLA-in Opposition took control of the town.

“The number of people who fled the fighting and the ethnic killings in Bentiu last week has more than doubled the number of people in one week – it has doubled the number of people sheltering at UN base,” Doune Porter, UNICEF Chief of Strategic Communication, told Eye Radio.

She said heavy rains and floods have also caused the latrines to collapse in the IDP camps.

Ms. Porter said that the only truck that delivers water to the IDPs in the camp is unable to move due to the muddy road.

She said many aid agencies have left because the security situation is still tense.