24 September 2012 - Recognizing the urgent need for medical transport in Unity State, UNMISS Mongolian battalion engineers repaired out-of-service ambulances at Bentiu Hospital today.

The ambulances, which broke down two years ago, had been grounded at Unity State's only referral hospital.

Bentiu Hospital Director Dr. Simon John Deng lauded the battalion, describing their gesture as life-saving. "This will make our job much easier. We can now respond in a timely manner in situations where ambulance services are needed."

Once the floods have receded and roads became passable again, the repaired ambulances will be able to assist in transporting patients to hospital from different parts of the state, including IDP camps, according to UNMISS.

The health situation in Bentiu and surrounding areas has been reported to be alarming in recent months, as heavy floods affected host communities and thousands of refugees arrived after fleeing fighting in Sudan's Southern Kordofan State.

The floods made it difficult for aid agencies to reach people in Bentiu and in refugee camps.

As cases of diarrohea, malaria and malnutrition were reported to be on the rise, UNMISS assisted in airlifting severe cases from camps to the referral hospital in Bentiu.

This week, the UN refugee agency said that about 100 refugees a day were arriving in Yida, the state's border town.

"We anticipate an increased influx into Yida as the rains subside and if fighting further escalates in South Kordofan," said UNHCR Spokesperson Melissa Fleming on 25 November. "There could be up to 80,000 refugees by the end of the year."