At a news conference in Nairobi, Lam Akol, head of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-United, said 'the international community should not turn a blind eye' to the plight of refugees in the south of the country. Akol also attempted to reassure aid agencies that the area was safe enough for them to carry out aid operations.

Khartoum-backed militias attacked civilian villages in Shilluk Kingdom, in the Upper Nile region, leaving more than 70,000 people homeless in April, according to independent cease-fire monitors.

However, the UN urged forces in the area to provide protection to civilians to make the path safe for humanitarian operations. UN spokesperson Ben Parker said: 'Our assessment at the moment is that it is not yet stable or secure enough to resume operations.'

Akol, who recently visited the Shilluk Kingdom region, described conditions as 'miserable', with many civilians living in desperate conditions with inadequate food and shelter. Akol also conceded that more fighting in the area could occur and that rebel forces were 'prepared' for attacks by pro-Khartoum militia.