SWITZERLAND, (DHA) According to the latest figures released by the IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), the number of internally displaced people in Sudan has almost doubled since the start of the conflict in mid-April to 7.1 million, the United Nations (UN) IOM said in a written statement yesterday. It was stated that approximately 7.1 million people were internally displaced in Sudan and 3.8 million of them were displaced following the clashes between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) that started in mid-April.

"THE CONFLICT HAS CAUSED A SERIOUS HUMANITARIAN CRISIS"

"The conflict has caused a severe humanitarian crisis, with food, water, medicine and fuel shortages becoming extremely acute. Due to disrupted trade routes and limited access, the prices of essential commodities have increased significantly and have become unaffordable for those remaining in besieged towns and cities across Sudan. Widespread human rights violations, including gender-based violence, forced displacement and killings of civilians, have been reported."

More than 1 million people in Sudan have fled to neighbouring Chad, Egypt, South Sudan, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic and Libya since the start of the conflict, 67 per cent of whom are Sudanese nationals. The needs in the country are at an all-time high, with 24.7 million people, almost half of the country, in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.