The United Nations is warning the ongoing violence in South Sudan has claimed thousands of lives in just over a week. Fighting is continuing in half the country’s 10 states between government forces and soldiers loyal to the country’s ousted former vice president. Hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee. On Wednesday, the U.N. Security Council approved a measure to nearly double the number of peacekeepers to around 15,000. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon pleaded for an end to the violence.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: “This is a political crisis which requires a peaceful political solution. In this season of peace, I urge the leaders of South Sudan to act for peace, stop the violence, start the dialogue, save your proud and newly independent country. There is no time to lose.”

There have been reports of at least three mass graves in the fighting so far, including one where 34 bodies were found.