The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Sudan says more than 15,000 South Sudanese crossed into Sudan this month.

Fierce fighting between the government and SPLA in Opposition forces have been reported in most parts of Unity State.

In a report, the UN states that South Sudanese refugees continue to arrive at a rate of 100 to 150 in Kharasana, West Kordofan.

It said Kharasana alone has received 9,200 refugees.

Almost 7,000 of the new arrivals are children. Nearly 3,500 of them are children under the age of five.

The UN OCHA said that those arriving are in poor physical condition, having had little or no food and water on the journey.

It says the newly arrived refugees are in need of food, water, emergency, health and sanitation services.