The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has shown concerns about the worsening crisis in Sudan. The Regional Director for East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes, Mamadou Dian Balde, revealed that nearly one in three Sudanese people are now displaced. Shockingly, one in six internally displaced people worldwide comes from Sudan.
Sudan is currently facing one of the largest displacement crises in the world, with close to 13 million people forced to flee their homes.
Balde highlighted how neighbouring countries like Uganda and Libya are keeping their borders open to help. Uganda alone has taken in 70,000 Sudanese refugees, despite already hosting 1.8 million people from other crises. Libya is hosting over 200,000 Sudanese refugees.
Local communities, even those with limited resources, have shown generosity by sharing what little they have. Balde praised this act of solidarity across the region.
He added that the humanitarian response is falling short. The UN’s Regional Refugee Response Plan has only received 10% of the necessary funds. The full plan requires $1.8 billion to assist nearly 5 million refugees and host communities. As the funding remains low, basic services like food, clean water, education, shelter, and protection are under severe strain.
There are 111 aid partners working on the ground, including international and national NGOs, and UN agencies. About one-third of these are local groups who are closely connected to the people and the ongoing challenges.
In the long term, Balde emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire. Refugees want peace so they can return home and rebuild their lives.
Sudan has experienced political and civil unrest for years, but the situation worsened in 2023 after intense fighting broke out between rival military factions. This has led to widespread violence, poverty, and a humanitarian disaster that shows no signs of slowing down.
