The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies says the number of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda is rising.

In Yumbe district alone, it says the number has increased from 8,000 t0 30,000 over the last two weeks.

Two weeks ago, the United Nations reported that around 110,000 South Sudanese fled to Uganda, escaping the violence that broke out in Juba last month.

The federation has called for immediate support of about $675,000 to provide needed assistance to the refugees.

The spokesperson, Catherine Gearing, told Eye Radio that plans are underway to set up more shelters for the refugees in Bidibidi, in Yumbe district in northern Uganda.

“It’s really important that we work with Ugandan Red Cross and Red Cross movement to really ensure that those facilities are set up as quickly as possible to meet the urgent needs of the communities that are coming in,” Ms Gearing said.

She added that 87% of the South Sudanese refugees in Uganda are women and children.