The United Nations Refugee Agency opened a new camp at Pamir on Thursday to provide services to Sudanese refugees relocating from the Yida settlement and the Nuba Mountains.

The camp is expected to hold 20,000 people, and holds a primary school, health care centre, and a solar powered drinking station.

“Our aim is to ensure that refugees access to quality services according to international standards, but our long-term strategy is to provide them with the tools and means that enable them to become more self-reliant and less dependent on humanitarian assistance,” said UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner George Okoth-Obbo. “This means boosting education, investing in agriculture and skill development opportunities.”

There are two other refugee camps in northern Unity state — Yida, and Ajuong Thok — which combine hold more than 100,000 people. 

“With Ajuong Thok at full capacity, we had no option but opening a new camp,” Okoth-Obbo said.

UNHCR says that additional contributions will be required to extend development of Pamir to its full intended capacity of 52,000.