UN: Sudan's Internal Displacement Nears 10 Million Amid Escalating Conflict
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The number of internally displaced people in Sudan could surpass 10 million, the United Nations migration agency reported on Friday, marking the world's largest displacement crisis.
Fighting erupted in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, in April 2023 and rapidly spread nationwide, reviving ethnic violence in the western Darfur region and displacing millions.
"How much suffering and loss of life must the people of Sudan endure before the world takes notice? Isn't 10 million internally displaced enough to compel urgent global action?" stated Mohamed Refaat, Sudan Chief of Mission for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), according to Reuters.
"Every one of those 10 million displaced lives represents a profound human tragedy that demands urgent attention."
This week, the IOM documented 9.9 million internally displaced people in Sudan. Before the war, there were already 2.8 million internally displaced individuals, according to the IOM.
In total, approximately 12 million people have been forced to flee their homes, with over 2 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries, including Egypt and Chad.
Refaat highlighted that more than half of the internally displaced people in Sudan are women, and a quarter are children under five.
He noted that aid agencies are struggling to meet the increasing needs.
"Funding shortfalls are impeding efforts to provide adequate shelter, food, and medical assistance," Refaat said.
"Serious concerns are mounting about the long-term impact of displacement on Sudan's social and economic fabric."
UN agencies have warned that Sudan faces an "imminent risk of famine," with around 18 million people acutely hungry, including 3.6 million children who are severely malnourished.
