Returnees camped under tree in northern Upper Nile State. | Photo: Michael Daniel.

The United Nations says over 32,000 people mainly South Sudanese citizens have been registered crossing into South Sudan since the outbreak of the fighting in Sudan.

UN refugee agencies – UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration said the real numbers are likely to be higher as some people entered the country without registration.

They said the average number of people arriving daily is at 3,500 individuals with most are arriving through the Joda border crossing point in Upper Nile State.

According to the UN agencies, more than 90 per cent of those arriving are South Sudanese who are returning home as well as Sudanese seeking asylum, Eritrean refugees, Kenyan and Somali migrants, and other third-country nationals.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan Van der Auweraert said relief partners have appealed for US $ 96 million to assist the influx of returnees and refugees into South Sudan.

“The majority of those arriving, often with no belongings and very traumatized, are in dire need of immediate humanitarian assistance, including medical and psychosocial support, and transportation to their destination,” he said.

Van der Auweraert said the UN and humanitarian partners needed the funding to provide rapid assistance to those arriving and support the Government of South Sudan’s efforts to help people moving from the border as quickly as possible.

Of the total funding required, $39.9 million is to assist returning South Sudanese at the border and as they integrate into their communities.

Meanwhile, 53.9 million US dollars will be used to provide basic services to refugees in designated camps for six months.

A further 2.2 million is required to support third-country nationals with transportation assistance to their countries of origin.

Mr. Van der Auweraert said the appeal for support is urgent.