The Commissioner of Ed Daein locality in Sudan’s East Darfur state said the number of South Sudanese fleeing to Sudan is rising, adding that this requires more basic services, especially water and electricity.

Ali al-Tahir pointed out in an interview with Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that the number of displaced people in his locality has reached 70,000 people, while the number of South Sudanese refugees has reached 20,000 people.

“Ad Dein is hosting more than 70,000 displaced people and about 20,000 refugees from South Sudan. There is increase in the number of people. This requires more services. We are digging more water boreholes," Al-Tahir said.

He added that the Ad Dein has 14 water stations but is not enough to meet the needs of both the citizens and displaced people.

The commissioner said scarcity of water sources have forced local authorities to dig more than ten boreholes. Five boreholes have been completed so far.

He added that they have four electricity generators but they experience faults from time to time.

Meanwhile, the UN's Refugee agency UNHCR said that 38,000 South Sudanese have fled to East and South Darfur states since January due to hunger in their home country. UNHCR said most of these people are coming from Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap states.

"In East Darfur, an average of 500 South Sudanese – or 100 households – have been arriving per day, rising to over 150 households last week, with a total of 35,234 as of 23 March, and more are expected in the coming days," UNHCR said.

The group said the refugees have mostly settled in Khor Omer displaced persons camp, with smaller numbers going to Adila, Bahr Alara, Asalaya, Abu Karinka, and Abu Jabra villages.

"The situation is desperate with most new arrivals having travelled up to 4 weeks before reaching Khor Omer, carrying few personal belongings and in need of urgent humanitarian assistance," UNHCR said.

UNHCR said nearly 5000 South Sudanese have also arrived in El Meiram and Kharasana in Sudan's West Kordofan state.

"These new arrivals, which may be under-counted, have reached Sudan in poor health, many having risked their lives en route," the group said. UNHCR said the refugees need food, water, basic relief items, and protection from sexual violence. The agency said some families have been separated as well.