The United Nations mission in South Sudan says the current ceasefire has largely been observed since it was imposed on Monday night.

Clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those supporting Vice President Riek Machar took place over five days until a ceasefire was reached at the beginning of the week. Hundreds have been killed in the violence with aid workers saying that bodies remain in the streets of the capital, Juba.

The UN estimates that around 36 thousand -- mostly women and children -- have been displaced by the fighting. Around 5 thousand internally displaced people have sought protection in the UN's Tomping compound and another 3 thousand have been relocated to a civilians' site nearby.