The ongoing conflict in Sudan has displaced more than 10 million people, or 20% of the population, since it began in April 2023, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The war has plunged half of Sudan’s 50 million population into a hunger crisis, with a critical need for humanitarian aid. The IOM’s latest report reveals that over 2.2 million people have fled to other countries, while nearly 7.8 million have been displaced within Sudan. This is in addition to the 2.8 million people already displaced by previous conflicts.
The fighting between General Burhan’s forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) started in Khartoum and quickly spread to Darfur in the west, where the RSF now controls most areas.
UN experts indicate that hunger has become the main driver of migration from Darfur, complicating aid delivery efforts.
“All refugees I met said the reason why they fled Sudan was hunger,” said Dr. Shible Sahbani, World Health Organization country director, after visiting Darfur refugees in Chad.
Recent RSF advances in southeastern Sudan have displaced more than thousands of people from Sennar state, many of whom have been displaced multiple times due to alleged RSF raids on markets and homes.
The RSF denies harming civilians, attributing such actions to rogue elements.
Many of the displaced are now in Gedaref state, which hosts 668,000 people enduring heavy rains with inadequate shelter. Human Rights Watch has warned about the danger posed by fighting expanding into Gedaref, which is home to 40,000 Ethiopian refugees, primarily Tigrayans.
