Surge in refugees from Sudan - UN

Nairobi - A large number of refugees are fleeing from southern Sudan into neighbouring countries in fear of government air raids…

Nairobi - A large number of refugees are fleeing from southern Sudan into neighbouring countries in fear of government air raids, factional fighting and general lawlessness, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said yesterday.

"The number fleeing from the fighting into neighbouring countries has doubled in the past month," the UNHCR said in a statement in the Kenyan capital. More than 400 refugees a week have reached Lokichokio, in north-west Kenya, this month, while 900 fled into neighbouring Uganda in the first three weeks of March.