UN migration agency urges global action to prevent regional instability as Sudan war enters 3rd year

As the devastating war in Sudan marks its third year, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday called for urgent and coordinated global action to address what it described as "one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises."

More than 11.3 million people are currently displaced within Sudan, including 8.6 million uprooted since the conflict erupted in April 2023, according to the IOM. Another 3.9 million have fled to neighboring countries, straining fragile host communities in Chad, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.

"The war has pushed Sudan to the brink. Thousands of lives have been lost to violence, families torn apart, and the hopes and aspirations of millions shattered in the face of starvation, disease, and the complete collapse of the economy," IOM Director General Amy Pope said.

"And even with the violence, many displaced people are attempting to return to their homes, only to find total devastation. Sudan desperately needs humanitarian aid, and equally important, longer-term investment to ensure people can return safely, and that they, and their communities, can recover and rebuild their lives."

With over 30 million people -- two-thirds of the country’s population-- in urgent need of assistance, IOM warned that humanitarian needs are growing by the day, especially in the hard-hit Darfur region, where incoming rains threaten to disrupt aid deliveries.

The agency has provided emergency shelter, clean water, sanitation, and health services to nearly four million people. But it warned that its 2025 response plan is just 10% funded.

Urging a global response to scale up, IOM said a lack of funding could halt critical data collection, leave millions without aid, and undermine regional stability.

"The people of Sudan cannot afford to be kept waiting," Pope said. "The international community must deliver a clear and united message: the people of Sudan are not forgotten."

War at turning point with millions potentially returning home

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) resident representative in Sudan told the briefing that the situation in the country is "grim," however, he stressed that "the war is at a turning point, with millions potentially returning home to cities like Khartoum."

Potentially 3-4 million people in the coming months will be returning home, Luca Renda said, as people hear areas have been recaptured by the Sudan army.

"For these communities, aid is not the answer and is not what people are asking for. They need help to get back on their feet, to rebuild and to restart national systems rather than using temporary parallel systems to provide basic services," he said.

He underlined that such help would include making sure it is safe to return, by clearing mines and debris, providing water, electricity and health care, helping people find jobs and income opportunities, and providing access to loans to rebuild houses and restart businesses.

There has been a 40% drop in GDP and triple-digit inflation, he said. The representative also noted that fewer than 25% of health facilities are currently working and there have been outbreaks of cholera and malaria.

Meanwhile, access to water, sanitation, and electricity is severely limited.

Women's bodies become battlegrounds in conflict

Anna Mutavati, UN Women regional director for East and Southern Africa, for her part, drew attention to the fact that the women of Sudan "are bearing the brunt of one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies."

According to Mutavati, there is a 288% increase in demand for lifesaving support following rape and sexual violence by Sudanese women.

"Women's bodies have become battlegrounds in this conflict, with sexual violence and rape being systematically used as a weapon of war," she said. "Yet these numbers don't capture the pain and fear."

Calling for humanitarian access and protection of humanitarian aid workers, she said: "We cannot abandon them now. Now is when they need us most."

She also recalled that just a few days ago, 400 civilians lost their lives in the attack in Darfur.

"We condemn in the strongest terms this unwarranted attack on civilians, which goes against international humanitarian law," she added.

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began its latest offensive on El Fasher on May 10, despite international warnings over renewed violence in the city, which serves as a vital humanitarian hub for all five states in Darfur.

Since April 15, 2023, the RSF has been battling the Sudanese army for control of the country, resulting in thousands of deaths and one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.