The civil war in Sudan has forced over seven million people to flee their homes. The UN agency IOM has calculated the number of refugees, and at the same time warns that continued unrest has forced new refugee flows.
Up to 300,000 residents of the town of Wed Madani in al-Jazira province have recently been forced from their homes, according to IOM.
The fighting between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Force began in April, and then took place mainly in the capital Khartoum and in the Darfur province.
Many then took refuge in the al-Jazira region. According to Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, residents of Wed Madani have been forced to flee since the fighting spread to the region.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recalled all staff from the region last week as fighting reached the city. The ICRC is appealing for “life-saving access to all areas of conflict where humanitarian needs are dire”.