More than half of the 7 million internally displaced people are children. In addition, some 2 million people have fled across borders into neighboring countries, said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, quoting figures from the International Organization for Migration, Xinhua reported.

“For our part, we and our humanitarian partners continue to ramp up efforts to respond to rising hunger and food insecurity across the country,” said Dujarric.

He said the World Food Programme (WFP) reports that 1,200 metric tons of food supplies are en route for some 116,000 men, women and children in Darfur.

They are nearing their final destinations: Central Darfur and 12 locations across South Darfur, including displacement camps in Nyala, Dujarric said.

The WFP convoy crossed into Sudan from Chad, he said.

Elsewhere in Sudan, food distributions are ongoing for 135,000 people in South Kordofan near the border with South Sudan, said the spokesman.

Humanitarian access across borders and fighting lines has been an issue since the outbreak of fighting between government troops and the Rapid Support Forces in April of last year.

SD/PR