Geneva/Cairo/Port Sudan – Almost 2.5 million people have been displaced inside and outside Sudan, as violence continues for the tenth week. While more than 1.9 million people have been displaced internally, 550,000 others have crossed into neighbouring countries, according to the latest figures by the International Organization for Migration (IOM’s) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM).  

The ongoing hostilities and rise of violence against the civilian population in the country have exacerbated the humanitarian and displacement crisis. Over the weekend, at least 15,000 people were forced to flee to Chad due to fighting in El Geneina and other locations in West Darfur. Among them were several hundred injured, separated children and families. They arrived mostly on foot, horseback and using pickup trucks without any belongings and often in desolate physical condition. 

IOM and partners have scaled up their presence and responses in Sudan and at key border points and areas in neighbouring countries hosting people who have fled Sudan; however, increasing needs are rapidly outpacing the resources available. 

Half of the Sudanese population – over 24.7 million people – are in need of humanitarian aid and protection. A High-level Pledging Event to Support the Humanitarian Response in Sudan and the Region will be held in Geneva today (19 June 2023).  

IOM is calling for urgent funding to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the crisis in Sudan and neighbouring countries.   

“I visited Sudan over the past few days and witnessed the alarming scale of pressing humanitarian needs in the country and at borders,” said Othman Belbeisi, IOM MENA Regional Director. 

“We appeal to the international community to urgently support relief efforts and mobilize financial resources to meet the mounting needs inside and outside Sudan. IOM calls on all parties to ensure safe access for humanitarian aid workers to reach those most in need.”  

“We are grateful for the donors who have already helped us, and our local partners scale up – a testament to our localization efforts. However, more is needed to help all those who are suffering from this crisis, including the growing number of internally displaced, with shelter, health care and protection.” 

IOM has so far delivered much-needed aid to over 23,900 people who were unable to leave the worst-hit areas across Sudan.   

The upcoming rainy season, which has started in Sudan and many of the neighbouring countries, including South Sudan, Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR), adds another layer of complexity to the situation and may further increase displacement as well as restrict access for the delivery of aid. 

IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix has activated operations in Chad, Central African Republic, Libya, South Sudan and Ethiopia providing updates on population mobility, including displacement and cross border mobility.    

The recently published, IOM crisis response plan for Sudan (2023) outlines the Organization’s preparedness and response priorities, as well as resource requirements for a rapid delivery of aid.

Download IOM’s Response Overview to the Sudan Crisis and Neighbouring Countries 2023 here.   

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For more information, please contact:    

Sudan: Lisa George, lgeorge@iom.int   

Cairo: Mohammedali Abunajela, mmabunajela@iom.int   

Geneva: Safa Msehli, smsehli@iom.int