Sudan’s Internally Displaced-Persons Nears 10 Million, Says UN Agency

The number of people displaced within Sudan due to ongoing conflict may exceed 10 million, the United Nations migration agency announced on Friday.

This crisis is currently the largest displacement situation in the world.

Fighting began in Khartoum in April 2023 and quickly spread throughout the country, causing ethnic violence in the Darfur region and forcing millions to flee.

“How much suffering and loss of life must the people of Sudan endure before the world takes notice? Isn’t 10 million internally displaced enough to compel urgent global action?” asked Mohamed Refaat, Sudan’s Chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

The IOM reported that 9.9 million people are now displaced in Sudan. Before the conflict, there were already 2.8 million displaced people. In total, about 12 million people have been forced to leave their homes, with more than 2 million moving into neighbouring countries, including Egypt and Chad.

Refaat noted that over half of the displaced people are women, and a quarter are children under five. He also mentioned that aid agencies are struggling to meet the increasing needs.

“Funding shortfalls are impeding efforts to provide adequate shelter, food, and medical assistance,” he said.

U.N. agencies have warned that Sudan faces an “imminent risk of famine,” with approximately 18 million people experiencing severe hunger, including 3.6 million children who are acutely malnourished.

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