The number of South Sudanese refugees crossing into Ethiopia has increased due to the reignited fight between the two warring factions in the country, announced Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA).
More than ten thousand refugees from South Sudan crossed over to the Ethiopian Gambela region over the last two weeks alone.
The number of those crossing into Ethiopia is increasing alarmingly as opposed to the number registered over the past one year, said Fasil Gashaw representative of ARRA's South Western office.
The office in collaboration with the UNHCR and other partners is registering and providing food and health aid in Fegag transitory refugee camp, the representative said.
Preparations are underway to house refugees in the six refugee camps in the region.
"As children and mothers constitute the largest part of refugees, they need urgent humanitarian aid," the representative said calling on the international community to extend the required support.
According to Paul Song, Information Officer at UNHCR Gambella branch, Ethiopia is taking in many South Sudanese refugees due to its open door policy.
The Ethiopian government, UNHCR and other partner organizations are now teaming up to reach out to those affected, confirmed the officer.
Some of the refugees sheltered in the camps extended gratitude to the government and people of Ethiopia for the warm hospitality.
Figures from ARRA indicate that more than 278 thousand South Sudanese, excluding new arrivals, are settled in six refugee camps in the regional state of Gambella