15 January 2014 - Continuous fighting around the Jonglei State capital Bor has driven an estimated 136,000 South Sudanese civilians across the River Nile into Awerial County in Lakes State, according to local officials.

An estimated 2,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) were still crossing the river daily, but have yet to be properly registered due to the overwhelming number, an official from the Awerial County Office of the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC) told an UNMMISS team assessing the area from 10 to 14 January.

The price for the boat crossing from Bor to Awerial ranges from 100 to 200 South Sudanese pounds. Those with no money remained stranded amidst the conflict, as Awerial is the safest and closest place to flee.

Some people were reportedly trapped on islands along the Nile, but security concerns made immediately rescuing them unlikely without government assistance.

In Minkgaman, IDPs initially settled in host community compounds or under trees and shared with local people what little they had. Now, some 67,500 IDPs have received food and non-food items, but more is needed, according to the SSRRC.

Community and county administrations have allocated about 30 kilometres of land for IDP settlement along the Minkgaman - Yirol road.

Ongoing humanitarian assistance is being provided by Medecines sans Frontieres (health), Doctors with Africa, the International Committee of the Red Cross, OXFAM, Save the Children and other organizations.

County authorities noted that the humanitarian situation had improved despite the influx of IDPs still crossing the river. Some IDPs have travelled on to Yirol, Rumbek and Juba.