Sudan faces imminent crisis as displaced population nears 10 million
June 6, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has issued a dire warning that the number of people internally displaced by conflict in Sudan is on the verge of exceeding 10 million.
The ongoing civil war, which erupted in mid-April 2023, has triggered the world’s worst internal displacement crisis, further exacerbated by the looming threat of famine and disease.
IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix reports a staggering 9.9 million people internally displaced across all 18 states in Sudan, with 7.1 million displaced since the war began. Women and children under five make up a significant portion of those affected.
“This crisis is equivalent to the entire population of London being displaced but under constant threat of violence, famine, disease, and brutal ethnic and gender-based violence,” stated IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Humanitarian needs are immense and urgent, yet funding remains critically low. We urgently need unified international efforts to avert a looming famine.”
In total, approximately 12 million individuals have been forced to flee their homes, with over 2 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries like Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt.
The conflict’s brutality and intensity are unrelenting, with reports of grave human rights violations, including ethnic violence and widespread sexual violence. A staggering 70% of the displaced population is now struggling to survive in famine-risk areas, while humanitarian access remains limited or non-existent. The approaching rainy season threatens to worsen the situation, potentially leading to climate-related disasters and disease outbreaks.
The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) recently issued a dire warning, highlighting the catastrophic levels reached by the crisis. In Al Fasher, North Darfur, over 800,000 civilians are trapped amidst escalating conflict and aerial bombardments. Essential infrastructure, including healthcare, has collapsed, and the prices of basic necessities have skyrocketed.
“Key roads out of Al Fasher are blocked, preventing civilians from escaping to safer areas and hindering the delivery of aid,” added Osman Belbeisi, IOM’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. “We join the United Nations in demanding an immediate ceasefire and guaranteed humanitarian access across borders and frontlines. Millions of lives hang in the balance.”