The Northern Bahr el Ghazal State government on Wednesday transported some 600 Sudanese refugees from Kiir Adem to Wedwil in Aweil West County.

On 15 April, fighting broke out in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killing hundreds and forcing many to flee.

The Chairperson for the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Dut Majokdit, on Thursday confirmed the relocation and said the UNHCR has been very helpful.

“On Wednesday the state government transported the 600 Sudanese refugees from Kiir Adem to the Wedwil area in Aweil West County of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State,” he said. “The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) is working hard to install shelters for the refugees in the new site.”

Majokdit also said that the state government has invited humanitarian organizations to support the refugees.

Meanwhile, a female Sudanese refugee, Fatima Musa Ali, said she fled fighting in the Darfur region after returning from town to be told that her only son had been killed and finding her home burned to the ground. She thanked the people of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State and South Sudan for welcoming the refugees.

“My properties were consumed by fire! The destruction started while I was away from the town. I have an only son and it was said he has died,” the grieving mother said. “We thank the South Sudanese for their continuous support since the time we arrived in Kiir Adem and now here in Wedwil.”

Another refugee who talked on condition of anonymity said they escaped the war in Sudan and are now free and safe in South Sudan.

“We escaped the war conditions in Sudan but we are now safe in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State because the state governor has visited us and all the people have shown their solidarity with us,” he said.