According to the latest data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), the number of internally displaced persons in Sudan has nearly doubled since the beginning of the ongoing conflict.

Nearly 7.1 million people are internally displaced within Sudan, of which 3.8 million are newly displaced as a result of the violence that erupted in mid-April between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

The majority of internally displaced persons are in the River Nile, East Darfur, Northern, South Darfur, Sennar, and White Nile states.

A severe humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict

The conflict has caused a severe humanitarian crisis as shortages of food, water, medicines, and fuel have become extremely acute. Disrupted trade routes and limited access have led to a significant increase in prices of essential goods, making them unaffordable for those remaining in besieged towns and cities across Sudan.

Widespread human rights violations were reported, including gender-based violence, forced displacement, and killings of civilians.

Since the onset of violence, more than one million people fled to neighboring countries, with Chad receiving the most arrivals followed by Egypt, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, and Libya. Of these, 67% are Sudanese nationals.

Needs in Sudan are at an all-time high, with 24.7 million people -- half of the country's population -- in need of humanitarian aid and protection, the IOM stressed.

"The people of Sudan deserve peace. Any further escalation of violence would further devastate the country and the region," said Federico Soda, IOM Director of the Department of Operations and Emergencies.

New funds necessary to deliver aid needed

Following the alarming increase in the number of people affected and displaced by the crisis, the IOM revised its response overview for the crisis in Sudan and neighboring countries, doubling the funding requirement to USD 418 million for double the number of people -- 1.9 million.

To date, only 21% of the funding has been secured.

IOM is committed to remaining in Sudan and delivering the support the country needs, with operations in all 18 states. However, intensified hostilities, fighting, and other obstacles faced by aid organizations continue to make access to people in need extremely challenging in many areas of the country, the agency pointed out.

IOM has been providing migrants, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable members of host communities in Sudan with essential items such as blankets and kitchen sets, health care, including mental health and psychosocial support, hygiene kits, protection, and cash assistance.

Through the Rapid Response Mechanism as well as the Common Humanitarian pipeline, 76 containers with critical and life-saving humanitarian aid have been received.

IOM said it is working hard to reach as many people in need as possible.

Cross-border initiatives

The UN agency has two operational Migrant Resource and Response Centers in the states of Kassala and Gedaref, assisting stranded migrants in Sudan with voluntary humanitarian return to their country of origin.

Moreover, IOM has piloted a cross-border convoy from Egypt to Sudan with 3,300 hygiene kits offloaded in Wadi Halfa, Northern State, which will soon be distributed to internally displaced persons.

Similarly, as part of the interagency cross-border missions, IOM is preparing for the first cross-border movement of humanitarian aid from Chad to West Darfur.

"As needs continue to rise, we reiterate our appeal to the international community to urgently support relief efforts and help ensure life-saving aid is delivered before it's too late," added Director Soda.