South Sudan faces deepening refugee crisis amid fighting in Renk - in pictures

  • A girl arrives at a Transit Centre for refugees in Renk, in South Sudan, after fleeing the war in Sudan. All photos: AFP
    A girl arrives at a Transit Centre for refugees in Renk, in South Sudan, after fleeing the war in Sudan. All photos: AFP
  • More than 550,000 people have fled from Sudan to South Sudan since the war broke out in April 2023
    More than 550,000 people have fled from Sudan to South Sudan since the war broke out in April 2023
  • A health worker measures the circumference of a Sudanese child's arm at a clinic within a transit centre for refugees in Renk
    A health worker measures the circumference of a Sudanese child's arm at a clinic within a transit centre for refugees in Renk
  • A Sudanese girl has her iris scanned using a biometric registration machine at the transit centre
    A Sudanese girl has her iris scanned using a biometric registration machine at the transit centre
  • South Sudan recently came out of decades of war and it is feared that it does not have the resources to host displaced people from its northern neighbour
    South Sudan recently came out of decades of war and it is feared that it does not have the resources to host displaced people from its northern neighbour
  • It was already grappling with a dire humanitarian situation before the war began in Sudan
    It was already grappling with a dire humanitarian situation before the war began in Sudan
  • Sudanese girls gather under a make-shift shade at the transit centre for refugees in Renk
    Sudanese girls gather under a make-shift shade at the transit centre for refugees in Renk
  • Men who have fled the war in Sudan line up during a cash assistance programme at the transit centre
    Men who have fled the war in Sudan line up during a cash assistance programme at the transit centre
  • Sudanese refugees carry their belongings as they get off a lorry loaded with families arriving at the transit centre
    Sudanese refugees carry their belongings as they get off a lorry loaded with families arriving at the transit centre
  • Aid agencies are bracing for more people to seek refuge in South Sudan as fighting between rival military factions continues in Sudan
    Aid agencies are bracing for more people to seek refuge in South Sudan as fighting between rival military factions continues in Sudan
  • The UN refugee agency is working with the South Sudan government to provide critical emergency assistance at the transit centre
    The UN refugee agency is working with the South Sudan government to provide critical emergency assistance at the transit centre
  • The UNHCR's assistance includes water, hot meals, sanitation provision and primary health care
    The UNHCR's assistance includes water, hot meals, sanitation provision and primary health care
  • The UN agency is also working with partners and local authorities to support South Sudanese returnees as they travel to their respective communities
    The UN agency is also working with partners and local authorities to support South Sudanese returnees as they travel to their respective communities
  • Children at a nutrition clinic within the transit centre in Renk. The disruption of cross-border trade caused by fighting in Sudan has pushed up food prices
    Children at a nutrition clinic within the transit centre in Renk. The disruption of cross-border trade caused by fighting in Sudan has pushed up food prices
  • Most of those crossing the border are South Sudanese who had been living in Sudan as refugees before the conflict broke out
    Most of those crossing the border are South Sudanese who had been living in Sudan as refugees before the conflict broke out
  • More than 541,800 people had arrived in South Sudan by the first week of February
    More than 541,800 people had arrived in South Sudan by the first week of February
  • The UN registered the highest number of arrivals, compared with any other month last year, in December
    The UN registered the highest number of arrivals, compared with any other month last year, in December
  • The transit centre in Renk is overwhelmed, with the number of arrivals far more that it was prepared to handle
    The transit centre in Renk is overwhelmed, with the number of arrivals far more that it was prepared to handle
  • People who fled the war in Sudan wait to be registered at the Joda Border Crossing Point. More than 200 people share one toilet at the transit centre in Renk and cases of cholera and measles are on the rise
    People who fled the war in Sudan wait to be registered at the Joda Border Crossing Point. More than 200 people share one toilet at the transit centre in Renk and cases of cholera and measles are on the rise
  • A girl on a boat along the White Nile river in Renk. Aid agencies require funding to provide services such as transport for families travelling to displaced people settlements
    A girl on a boat along the White Nile river in Renk. Aid agencies require funding to provide services such as transport for families travelling to displaced people settlements
  • Refugees who have fled from the war in Sudan stand on a truck arriving at a Transit Centre
    Refugees who have fled from the war in Sudan stand on a truck arriving at a Transit Centre