Africa

‘Profound human tragedy’: Sudan could soon have 10 million internally displaced people, UN says

A further 2 million, at least, have fled to neighbouring countries

Children sharing a bowl of food earlier this week as Sudanese families host internally displaced people coming from the central Sudanese state of Gezira to the eastern Sudanese city of Gedaref. Photograph: Ebrahim Hamid/AFP via Getty Images
Children sharing a bowl of food earlier this week as Sudanese families host internally displaced people coming from the central Sudanese state of Gezira to the eastern Sudanese city of Gedaref. Photograph: Ebrahim Hamid/AFP via Getty Images
Fri Jun 07 2024 - 11:39

The number of people internally displaced in Sudan due to conflict could soon exceed 10 million, the United Nations migration agency said on Friday, in the world’s largest displacement crisis.

Fighting broke out in the capital Khartoum in April 2023 and quickly spread across the country, reigniting ethnic bloodshed in the western 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?” said Mohamed Refaat, Sudan chief of mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

"Every one of those 10 million displaced life represents a profound human tragedy that demands urgent attention."

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The IOM recorded 9.9 million people internally displaced across Sudan this week. Before the war, there were already 2.8 million internally displaced people, according to the IOM.

In total, about 12 million people have been forced to flee their homes, with more than 2 million crossing into neighbouring countries, including Egypt and Chad.

Refaat said that more than half of the internally displaced people in Sudan were woman, and a quarter of them children under five.

[ UN: 'We are failing the people of Sudan' ]

He said aid agencies were struggling to keep up with the rising needs.

"Funding shortfalls are impeding efforts to provide adequate shelter, food and medical assistance," Refaat said.

"Serious concerns are mounting about the long-term impact of displacement on Sudan's social and economic fabric."

UN agencies have warned that Sudan was at “imminent risk of famine”, with about 18 million people acutely hungry, including 3.6 million children who are acutely malnourished.

[  Life as a refugee in South Sudan: ‘I’m looking for peace. I’m looking for a place my children can study’ ]

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