Sudan Conflict Displaces 11.3 Million as Refugee Crisis Deepens Across Region

Credit: Reuters

More than 11.3 million people have been forcibly displaced since conflict erupted in Sudan in April 2023, with 6.5 million displaced inside the country and 4.6 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, according to the latest regional displacement update.

The latest humanitarian mapping shows that neighbouring countries continue to receive hundreds of thousands of people fleeing violence, placing increasing pressure on already stretched humanitarian services. Sudan and surrounding countries were hosting large refugee populations before the current conflict, further compounding the response challenge.

According to the update, humanitarian agencies have identified urgent needs, including access to food, clean water, shelter, healthcare and essential relief supplies. Protection services also remain a priority, particularly for women, children and other vulnerable groups.Relief efforts are focused on registering new arrivals, relocating refugees away from insecure border areas, identifying people with specific protection needs, preventing gender-based violence, and providing care for unaccompanied and separated children.

The regional update indicates that Chad hosts the largest number of Sudanese refugees, with more than 1.35 million people, followed by South Sudan with over 938,000 new arrivals, including Sudanese refugees, refugee returnees and refugees of other nationalities. Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, Libya and the Central African Republic have also received significant numbers of people fleeing the conflict.

Humanitarian agencies continue to appeal for increased international support to sustain life-saving assistance as displacement from Sudan remains one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing humanitarian crises.