Over 10 million people in Sudan could soon become internally displaced due to ongoing conflict, potentially creating the world’s largest displacement crisis, according to the United Nations migration agency on Friday.
The conflict, which began in April 2023 in Khartoum, has rapidly spread across Sudan, igniting ethnic violence particularly in the western Darfur region, and forcing millions to flee their homes.
Mohamed Refaat, Sudan Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), stated, “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? Every one of those 10 million displaced lives represents a profound human tragedy that demands urgent attention.”
The IOM reported that 9.9 million people have been displaced within Sudan this week. Prior to the conflict, the IOM had already recorded 2.8 million internally displaced persons. In total, around 12 million people have been forced to leave their homes, with over 2 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries like Egypt and Chad.
Refaat noted that more than half of the internally displaced individuals in Sudan are women, and a quarter are children under the age of five. He added that aid organizations are struggling to meet the increasing demands due to funding shortfalls, which are hindering efforts to provide adequate shelter, food, and medical assistance.
UN agencies have warned that Sudan is facing an “imminent risk of famine,” with approximately 18 million people experiencing severe hunger, including 3.6 million children suffering from acute malnutrition. Refaat expressed serious concerns about the long-term impact of displacement on Sudan’s social and economic fabric.
