The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Sudan warned that the humanitarian crisis in the country was turning into a "full-blown catastrophe" and that the risk of spillover into neighbouring countries was worrisome, according to Reuters.
More than 100,000 refugees have crossed from Sudan to neighbouring countries to escape the conflict that erupted last month while hundreds of thousands have been displaced within the country, U.N. officials said on Tuesday.
"Over 100,000 refugees are estimated to be among those who have now crossed to neighbouring countries, including Sudanese refugees," Olga Sarrado, spokesperson at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, told reporters at a briefing in Geneva.
At the same briefing, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that 334,053 people had been internally displaced within the country since April 15.
"In many cases, the small convoys are in a sense running the gauntlet between warring factions and it's an extremely difficult and dangerous situation for those who are embarking on these journeys," said Paul Dillon, IOM spokesperson.
"It has been more than two weeks of devastating fighting in Sudan, a conflict that is turning Sudan humanitarian crisis into a full blown catastrophe," Abdou Dieng, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, told a briefing of member states via video link on Monday.
Dieng added that civilians were taking refuge in parts of Sudan less affected by fighting or fleeing to neighbouring countries. "The regional spillover effect of the crisis is a serious concern," he said.
A World Health Organization official said it has delivered six containers of supplies to Port Sudan and has another 30 tonnes of aid stocks waiting in Dubai for delivery.
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