Millions in Sudan await return to damaged homes after displacement crisis

Sudan’s Internal Displacement Crisis Continues Amid Ongoing Conflict

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that approximately 14 million people have been displaced within Sudan, making it the country with the largest internal displacement crisis globally. According to UN estimates, this number is part of a broader global trend, with over 122 million forcibly displaced individuals worldwide by mid-2025.

However, recent data suggests a slight decline in the global number of displaced persons, with a decrease of 5.9 million by mid-2025. This shift has sparked questions about what drives people to return to conflict zones and how they survive in areas affected by destruction.

In Sudan’s capital city, Khartoum, a fragile trend of return is emerging despite shattered infrastructure. The recent resumption of government operations from the city has sent a signal of potential stability, with some experts viewing it as an invitation for citizens to follow suit. Major-General Osama Abdel Salam notes that the return of civilians can enhance security by filling abandoned neighborhoods and reducing the risk of negative phenomena.

However, the infrastructure challenge in Khartoum is significant. The government has spent over a year attempting to clear debris from war-torn areas, including looting operations on electrical infrastructure. Approximately 15,000 transformers were stripped, with authorities diverting available electricity to critical facilities like hospitals and water stations.

In other regions, such as the Gaza Strip, internal displacement affects nearly two million people, with many having been displaced multiple times due to ongoing conflicts. In Syria and Yemen, protracted conflicts continue to drive displacement figures, with 12 million and over five million individuals remaining displaced, respectively.

The situation in Sudan presents a unique case study in the dynamics of return, with experts and officials offering varying perspectives on what drives people back to conflict zones and how they survive in areas affected by destruction.

Source: Al Jazeera