About 5,000 civilians are seeking shelter in Pibor close to the UN base, following armed clashes in the area, the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said.
Intense conflict between large groups of Lou Nuer and Murle fighters has been ongoing in Jonglei state for the past two weeks.
The UN mission said in an email to Radio Tamazuj today that approximately 5,000 civilians, mostly women and children, have taken shelter in Pibor close to the UNMISS base.
It added that more than 150 people have fled to Anyidi close to Bor town.
The peacekeeping mission disclosed that the conflict has forced thousands of civilians in villages around Pibor to take refuge in the bush and adjacent swamps.
“Fighting in the vicinity of the villages of Manyabol, Lokurmach, Likuangole, Kongor, Bich Bich, and Batingongo has led to the destruction and damage of both civilian and government structures,” UNMISS said.
UNMISS pointed out that it has significantly reinforced its peacekeepers in Pibor and established temporary peacekeeping bases in a number of villages around the region.
The expanded presence is to deter violence and provide protection for civilians and support for humanitarian workers, according to the UN mission.