Ordinary people are fleeing South Sudan
The United Nations has demanded an immediate ceasefire between the two warring factions in South Sudan.
The agency said the new country would be on the verge of collapse if violence continued unabated.
Meanwhile, the two warring factions are preparing for peace talks in Ethiopia, but they have not stopped fighting in the country.
Hilda Johnson, head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, told the BBC that the human rights situation in the country was deteriorating.
At least 1,000 people have been killed so far in the clashes, which began last month, the agency said.
Miss Johnson said it was clear that people were suffering terribly here.
Many are fleeing from here.
But the ordinary people who are still there are at grave risk.
Clashes between supporters of President Salva Kiir and former Vice President Rick Machar have also reportedly seen many civilians being tortured there.
Especially people of different ethnic groups are being attacked.
Miss Johnson said the issue needed to be resolved politically.
He said it was a political conflict so it had to be resolved politically.
But first they have to come to a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, both sides have agreed to join peace talks in Ethiopia, but clashes continue.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir
President Salva Kiir has declared a state of emergency in two parts of the country.
Where clashes have been rampant and most of which are under rebel control.
A BBC correspondent reports that clashes are taking place in the important city of Bor.
Mr. Kir said a 14-member delegation had left for Ethiopia to attend the peace talks.
However, observers say it will be difficult for both sides to negotiate peace and come to a ceasefire.
Because President Kir has already disagreed with former Vice President Rick Machar on the question of power-sharing.
Meanwhile, leaders of East African countries are continuing to try to resolve the country's crisis.
On Monday, the Ugandan president threatened the rebels, saying they would send troops if there was no ceasefire by Tuesday.
Mr. Machar said he would not order his loyal troops to stop until initial talks were held.
President Salva Kiir alleges that former Vice President Rick Machar started the conflict out of a desire to seize power.
He was fired in July last year.
Clashes between the two sides began on 15 December in the capital, Juba.
The conflict quickly spread to oil-producing areas