The millions who remain in Khartoum and cities in the Darfur and Kordofan regions have faced rampant looting and long power, communications and water cuts.

Volunteers say eight people were rescued from the boat, which was headed for Malaysia, a coveted destination for thousands of Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution and poverty in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The programme will likely be open to Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan refugees in Mexico, sources say.

Rohingya refugees living in Malaysia mark the celebration which accompanies the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca, Islam's holiest site.

So far, the conflict between warring military factions that began in mid-April has caused nearly 600,000 people to escape into neighbouring countries including Egypt, Chad, South Sudan and Central African Republic.

Sik MP Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman says detained children risk serious physical and mental harm.

Bangladesh is home to around a million Rohingya, most of whom fled a 2017 military crackdown in neighbouring Myanmar that is now subject to a UN genocide investigation.

The former health minister says such comments are characteristic of the 'not in my backyard' attitude.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says UNHCR must carry out its responsibilities towards these groups and not place the burden solely on the government.

The estimate includes around 580,000 Sudanese, with the others existing refugees from South Sudan and elsewhere.

UNHCR Malaysia says the group had lived there for nearly a decade and had integrated well with their local community.

This is the highest number of Rohingya found in a vessel at sea this year.