UN Warns of Challenges Facing the Return of 4 Million Displaced People in Sudan

The United Nations has announced that around 4 million people have voluntarily returned to their homes in Sudan despite the ongoing war, warning of serious challenges facing them.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, now in its fourth year, has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced more than 12 million, and forced over 4 million others to flee to neighboring countries, according to the International Organization for Migration.

However, with the situation improving in Khartoum after the army regained control last year, many displaced people have begun returning to their homes in the capital and other areas they believe have become safer.

Between November 2024 and last month, about 3.99 million people returned to their homes, particularly to Khartoum and Al Jazirah State, a key agricultural region southeast of the capital, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Song Ah Lee, Deputy Director of the Transition and Recovery Division at the International Organization for Migration, told journalists in Geneva: “Many are returning because they believe the security situation has improved, while others are going back because life in displacement has become unbearable.”

A spokesperson from Al Jazirah State added: “People want to rebuild and return to their lands, homes, and livelihoods.”

However, she noted that “the reality many face upon arrival is harsh and often marks the beginning of a new struggle to survive.”

In Khartoum, she pointed out that many return to areas where homes and vital infrastructure—such as water and electricity—have been severely damaged.

Despite this, more than 2 million additional people are expected to return to Khartoum alone this year, she said.

In Al Jazirah, one of Sudan’s most important agricultural regions, farmers are returning to fields where irrigation systems and equipment have been damaged, threatening food production and livelihoods.

Lee said the International Organization for Migration has managed to deliver humanitarian assistance to 4 million people in Sudan since 2023.

However, she stressed that “the scale of needs remains enormous,” with 9 million people still displaced.

The International Organization for Migration is seeking to raise $170 million for its 2026 Sudan response plan, but the plan still faces a funding gap of $97.2 million, according to the organization.