According to UNOCHA, new arrivals have been reported at the Pagak/Bubieyr border crossing in Ethiopia's Gambella region for the first time since the conflict began in Sudan.

ADDIS ABABA: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said that the number of people arriving in Ethiopia due to the ongoing situation in Sudan has surpassed 18,000.

The UNOCHA added that more than 440 people till now have entered Ethiopia via the Kurmuk border crossing point in Ethiopia's Benishangul Gumuz region.

According to the agency, new arrivals have been reported at the Pagak/Bubieyr border crossing in Ethiopia's Gambella region for the first time since the conflict began in Sudan.

Over 18,000 people have crossed into #Ethiopia since 21 April, fleeing the conflict in #Sudan. They urgently require basic assistance like emergency shelter, food, and water. The Ethiopian Government and humanitarian partners are scaling up their response.

— UN Humanitarian (@UNOCHA) May 11, 2023

UNOCHA figures showed that the arrivals are from 60 nationalities, and the largest group are Ethiopians, Sudanese and Turkish, Xinhua news agency reported.

The UNOCHA earlier announced that shelter and reception areas are under construction for those who need relocation, and further medical support would be provided.

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Sudan has witnessed deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in the capital city of Khartoum and other areas since April 15, with the two sides accusing each other of initiating the conflict.