The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that over 10 million Sudanese, constituting 20% of the population, have been displaced since the onset of the war in April 2023. This alarming statistic highlights the escalating humanitarian crisis in the East African nation.
Massive Internal and External Displacement
The conflict, which erupted in Khartoum and spread to Darfur, has forced more than 2.2 million people to flee to neighboring countries. Meanwhile, approximately 7.8 million people have sought refuge within Sudan. An additional 2.8 million individuals were already displaced by previous conflicts. The IOM’s bimonthly report underscores the dire situation, with half of the 50 million population now facing a hunger crisis and in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
UN experts indicate that hunger, rather than violence, is now the primary driver of migration from Darfur. The World Health Organization’s country director, Dr. Shible Sahbani, shared that refugees from Darfur in Chad fled due to severe food shortages. “A woman who just reached Adré reported that all food they used to produce locally in Darfur was taken by the fighters,” Sahbani noted.
The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has expanded its control across various regions, including the southeast, has been accused of exacerbating the crisis. Over 150,000 people were recently displaced from Sennar state following RSF raids on markets and homes. Many of these displaced individuals have relocated to Gedaref state, now hosting 668,000 people facing heavy rains and inadequate shelter.
Risks in Gedaref State
Human Rights Watch has warned about the potential dangers for 40,000 Ethiopian refugees, mostly Tigrayans, in Gedaref. The RSF has accused these refugees of collaborating with the Sudanese army, further complicating their situation.
The RSF denies harming civilians, attributing any misconduct to rogue actors. However, the worsening conditions and increasing number of displaced individuals paint a grim picture of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to an unprecedented displacement crisis, with millions of people uprooted and in dire need of assistance. As international organizations continue to provide aid, the situation remains critical, with hunger and insecurity driving further migration.
Source: ReutersÂ
