Fighting in Unity State following a military offensive that began late last month and fresh clashes in Upper Nile State have displaced tens of thousands of people, many of whom were already once displaced last year.
Data cited in a map published by the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) published on Sunday estimates that about 278,000 people in Unity State have been affected by violence, while the total number of Unity State displaced has risen to 437,600.
Judging by the 2008 population census data for the total population of Unity State, this means that about 75% of the state population are currently displaced from their homes.
OCHA designates Mayendit, Panyijar, Leer, Guit and Koch counties as “areas reported to be affected by renewed violence in May-15.” All of these are Nuer-inhabited areas.
Major recent migrations shown on the map include population movements out of Malakal and away from targeted areas around Bentiu. Overall the number of South Sudanese refugees and internally dispalced people is now well over two million people.
Related:
US says ‘credible’ reports of atrocities after South Sudan offensive (12 May)
IGAD monitors slam SPLA for “full-scale military offensive” (15 May)
UN says villages burned in Guit and Koch counties (12 May)