Europe has real concerns about Sudans

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BRUSSELS, Dec. 12 (UPI) -- The European Commission said Wednesday it was ready to "react fast" to a growing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan and Sudan.

The European Commission said Wednesday it was concerned about the number of people fleeing Sudanese conflict in border states South Kordofan and Blue Nile.

South Sudan became an independent country last year under the terms of a peace deal that ended Sudan's civil war. Border conflicts, however, are one of the many issues adding to lingering tensions.

Kristalina Georgieva, the European Commissioner for humanitarian aid, said more than 200,000 people had fled the region and another 600,000 were internally displaced.

"We have to react fast before it's too late. And reports about the situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile are very worrying," she said in a statement.

The European government said Wednesday it was delivering $38.8 million in assistance for both countries to help address the humanitarian situation.

The United Nations this week expressed concern the situation in the region. At least four students were reported killed during recent demonstrations in Khartoum, which prompted a warning from the U.S. Embassy there.