The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has reported a sharp increase in the number of returnees and refugees from South Sudan entering Sudan, with the total reaching nearly 198,000 individuals.
Since April, returnees and refugees have been crossing into Sudan following escalating clashes between armed groups in Upper Nile State.
In a statement, UNHCR said:
> “An estimated 197,807 people have arrived from South Sudan since April, including 128,825 Sudanese returnees, with the rest being refugees from the neighboring country.”
The agency highlighted that political instability and increased armed group activity in South Sudan, particularly in Upper Nile State, have led to large-scale displacement.
According to UNHCR data:
32,055 refugees out of 68,982 new arrivals have settled in White Nile State,
14,405 refugees have arrived in Blue Nile State,
The remainder are dispersed across North, South, and East Darfur, as well as West and South Kordofan.
Sudan currently hosts 889,000 refugees, according to the latest UNHCR report issued on July 31, with nearly 662,000 refugees from South Sudan.
About 69% of all refugees live in camps, while the rest reside in cities.
The report also stated that 270,000 Sudanese refugees have been internally displaced to safer areas since the conflict began. Authorities are working to relocate refugees from urban areas to border camps, following reports that some joined the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in fighting against the army.
UNHCR added that the return of 86 Sudanese nationals to Blue Nile State is further straining conditions, though it continues to provide assistance at entry points in coordination with other agencies, while ongoing efforts include family registration and identity verification at Al-Karama camps.
