Between 10,000 and 20,000 people have fled fighting in Sudan to seek refuge in neighboring Chad in villages near the border, according to UNHCR’s border teams and the World Food Program (WFP).

“The majority of people arriving are women and children. UNHCR is working closely with the Government of Chad and its partners to assess their needs and prepare a joint response,” it said in a press release today.

UNHCR is also coordinating with the Chadian authorities to help them register the new arrivals in the coming days.

The eastern part of Chad is already home to more than 400,000 Sudanese refugees and “the arrivals are putting additional pressure on already overburdened public services and the country’s resources,” he points out.

The most urgent needs are water, food, shelter, health care, child protection and prevention of gender-based violence, UNHCR says.

Due to the violence experienced by people crossing borders, psychosocial support is also one of the main priorities.

Since the power struggle, simmering for weeks between two generals, has turned into a battle since April 15, there is complete confusion among the 45 million Sudanese and the truces announced by the two camps do not last.

UNHCR says it is “particularly concerned by the escalation of violence in Sudan”, as the World Health Organization has counted “more than 330 dead and 3,200 injured”.

“There is an urgent need for the conflict to stop to avoid further human losses,” UNHCR Deputy Chief of Operations Rauf Mazou said in a press release.

“We reiterate our call to all (involved) sides to protect civilians, including refugees and displaced persons, and to respect the safety of humanitarian workers so that vital aid can be delivered,” he added.