The UN High Commissioner for Refugees says there has been a sharp increase in the number of new arrivals of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda.

It says the refugees are fleeing violence and hunger in the former Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria and Jonglei states.

In a statement, the UNHCR says the Ugandan districts of Adjumani, Arua, and Kiryandongo received about 50 new arrivals per day in the first three days of January.

But the number increased to a peak of 700 arrivals on January 7th and 8th.

Currently, it says there is an average of 431 new arrivals of refugees in Uganda every day.

The UNHCR says the refugee camp in Adjumani currently hosts more than 3700 South Sudanese refugees; the one in Arua has over 900 and that of Kiryandongo hosts more than 700.

The commission says it is processing an Emergency Response Team to reinforce response and support to the government and people of Uganda.