Over One Million Return to War-Torn Khartoum Amid Ongoing Crisis

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Tuesday that more than one million people have returned to Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, over the past ten months. This return occurs despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with basic services severely damaged and the city still grappling with the aftermath of conflict.

The IOM highlighted that the conditions for returnees are perilous, with continuing disease outbreaks, destroyed homes, and compromised infrastructure. These challenges are compounded by reports of indiscriminate shelling, sexual violence, and ethnically targeted attacks that continue to plague the area.

Ugochi Daniels, the IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, noted, “The scale of return to Khartoum is both a sign of resilience and a warning. I met people coming back to a city still scarred by conflict, where homes are damaged and basic services are barely functioning.” This statement underscores the dual nature of the returnees’ situation: a testament to their determination but also a stark reminder of the risks they face.

According to the IOM, the number of returnees represents only about a quarter of the 4 million people originally displaced by the conflict. The organization further indicated that Khartoum continues to host over 3.7 million displaced individuals, emphasizing the scale of the ongoing crisis.

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN, stated, “We and our partners continue to scale up our response efforts where access allows.” This highlights the UN’s commitment to addressing the needs of displaced populations despite the challenging conditions on the ground.

The report on the return to Khartoum comes in the wake of alarming assessments from senior UN officials who indicated that approximately 30 million people in Sudan are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance as the civil war persists. The situation has escalated further, with reports detailing the killing and injury of numerous civilians in locations such as El Fasher.

The ongoing civil war, which began in April 2023, has created a dire humanitarian landscape in Sudan, prompting calls from the UN for international bodies to intervene and address the deepening crisis. As efforts continue to ramp up, the plight of returnees remains a pressing concern, exemplifying the complex challenges facing those attempting to rebuild their lives in a city still recovering from the ravages of war.