QUITO, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Some 59,000 Colombians have fled their nation's violence and are seeking refuge in Ecuador, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said in a statement Monday.

    "Ecuadorian authorities are working on a plan which offers the vulnerable population the option of registering itself and getting legal documentation as quickly as possible," the UNHCR said.

    According to the UNHCR, about 80,000 Colombians live at the border. Some have been living in the area for over a decade while others fled there just weeks or months ago.

    Ecuadorian Internal Security Minister Gustavo Larrea said two weeks ago that Ecuador needs permanent international support to deal with these refugees.

    Larrea announced plans to boost education and health systems in the 680km border region, which also suffers from clashes between Colombian army fighters and the guerrilla forces, consequently leading to diplomatic conflicts between Ecuador and Colombia.

    Ecuador has repeatedly complained that Colombia fails to police the border area.