The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Wednesday it was preparing for the arrival of some 10,000 South Sudanese refugees expected to enter Sudan’s troubled Darfur region.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Wednesday it was preparing for the arrival of some 10,000 South Sudanese refugees expected to enter Sudan's troubled Darfur region.

"Humanitarians in East Darfur are preparing to respond to a possible influx of an estimated 10,000 people from South Sudan," the weekly OCHA bulletin said.

Fighting erupted in the world's youngest state on December 15 after Riek Machar, who was sacked as South Sudan's vice president in July, was accused of attempting a coup against President Salva Kiir.

The United Nations said thousands of people have been killed and more than 120,000 forced to flee their homes in the conflict.

Clashes have been reported in half of South Sudan's 10 states, with the violence taking on an ethnic dimension and both sides reportedly committing
atrocities.

Since 2003, Sudan's troubled Darfur region has been the scene of an armed revolt against the Arab-dominated Sudanese government aimed at securing a greater share of resources and power.

The UN says at least 300,000 people have since died in the conflict.