The intensifying clashes between the military and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan are driving more civilians, especially children, to flee their homes.
At least 700 children are displaced every hour due to the ongoing fierce battles.
The number of conflict-induced refugees has surged to over 4.5 million individuals, including 3.6 million internally displaced people, while others have sought refuge across borders, particularly in Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released a statement on Thursday, obtained by “Sudan Tribune,” revealing that the conflict has forced over two million children to leave their homes, with more than 700 newly displaced children every hour.
The organization highlighted that approximately 14 million children require urgent support, as many face various threats and terrifying experiences.
The escalation of conflict from Darfur and Khartoum to other regions in Kordofan has impeded the delivery of life-saving services.
The UN World Food Programme has managed to reach 1.8 million people since the outbreak of the war, which constitutes just 10% of the total 20.3 million people suffering from severe hunger.
UNICEF projected that the health and nutritional conditions of around 10 million children would deteriorate further.
The organization warned of the risk of cholera, dengue fever, Rift Valley fever, and chikungunya outbreaks due to rains and the continued displacement of families whose homes have been destroyed by floods.
Prior to the conflict, UN reports indicated that 9.4 million children lacked access to safe drinking water, and 3.4 million children under the age of five were severely prone to diarrhea and cholera.
UNICEF stated that healthcare systems in states are strained due to mass displacement, with all states reporting acute shortages and depletion of medical supplies, including life-saving materials.
