IOM reports first decrease in Sudan’s IDP numbers since conflict began

March 23, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – More than 9 million people remain internally displaced within Sudan despite a slight decrease in recent numbers, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Sunday.

The IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) update, seen by Sudan Tribune, reported a 2.4% decrease in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs), the first since the current conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April 2023. The decrease was attributed to increased return movements in some areas.

The IOM said decreases in IDP numbers were observed in Blue Nile, Kassala, Gedaref, Red Sea, Northern, River Nile, Sennar, North Kordofan, and West Darfur states, linked to people returning to their areas of origin.

The DTM report estimates there are now 9.1 million IDPs in Sudan. This includes approximately 6.6 million people newly displaced since April 2023, around 2.5 million displaced prior to April 2023, and 383,186 IDPs who have returned, the IOM said.

The IOM also tracks cross-border movements. As of the reporting period, an estimated 1.9 million individuals have crossed from Sudan into neighbouring countries. However, this number does not include those who have not been registered or all returnees to their origin countries.

Most IDPs are living in dire humanitarian conditions, with limited access to aid and employment, as the war has devastated livelihoods, infrastructure, and economic activity, the IOM noted.

According to the IOM, 47% of displaced families are staying with host families and communities, 18% are in camps, 17% are in open areas or settlements, 9% are in schools or public buildings, and 6% are in rented accommodations. The remainder are in makeshift shelters.

The agency’s data indicates that 53% of IDPs are children, with 27% under the age of five. Females under 18 years old constitute approximately 28% of the IDP population.