Aid partners have registered about 300 unaccompanied and separated children and about 40 others missing in Wau Town, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has said.

Last week, fighting erupted in the town forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.

UNOCHA says many of the children were separated from their families during the fighting.

It says 12,000 civilians have sought shelter near the UNMISS base meanwhile others partners’ preliminary estimates indicate that more than 27,000 people have been displaced due to the incident.

UNOCHA says humanitarian partners are ramping-up their response to the needs generated by the fighting.