The crisis in Sudan has entered its fourth year, and the situation remains dire. Marie-Helene Verney, the UNHCR Representative in Sudan, spoke at a press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, emphasizing the ongoing violence and the human cost of the conflict. Since April 2023, the war has forced approximately 14 million people from their homes, with 9 million internally displaced within Sudan and another 4.4 million seeking refuge across borders.
Displacement has become a relentless cycle for many, as they repeatedly flee to relative safety only to be forced to move again. The figure of one in four Sudanese displaced is a stark reminder of the scale of the crisis. In regions like Darfur, the Kordofans, and Blue Nile State, violence persists, and the use of air bombardments and drones has intensified, causing further displacement. Human rights abuses, including sexual violence, forced recruitment, arbitrary arrests, and massacres, continue to be reported, with civilians, particularly women and girls, facing heightened risks.
The collapse of essential services has created a climate of impunity, making it difficult for survivors of gender — based violence to seek help. The consequences of this crisis are far-reaching, with millions of children spending their childhood in displacement, denied access to education and facing significant trauma. Over 58,000 unaccompanied children have arrived alone in neighboring countries, separated from their families during their flight.
Neighboring countries, such as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan, which host the majority of Sudanese refugees, are at the brink of collapse. These countries struggle to support not only the Sudanese refugees but also their own populations, with South Sudan dealing with its own crisis since April 2023. The limited assistance and opportunities available in host countries force many to make impossible choices.
In a glimmer of hope, some displaced Sudanese are returning to areas where fighting has subsided. Approximately 80 percent of these returnees are internally displaced people, alongside 870,000 refugees from neighboring countries. The majority of returns are to Al Jazeera and Sennar states, with nearly 1.5 million returning to Khartoum, where the situation remains dire due to the destruction of infrastructure, the shattered economy, and the torn social fabric.
The perilous journey through Libya to Europe is also becoming more common for Sudanese seeking a way out. Between 2024 and 2025, over 14,000 Sudanese arrived in Europe, a 232 percent increase since the conflict began. These movements are driven by the lack of prospects for peace and unmet needs in Sudan and across borders.
The UNHCR and other aid agencies have faced significant challenges in providing assistance. To date, they have received only 16 percent of the $2. 8 billion required for assistance inside Sudan and 8 percent of the $1.
6 billion needed for the regional refugee response. Without renewed global attention and support, the suffering and risks for the millions displaced will only intensify, destabilizing the region further. The cost of this crisis is one that Sudan and the world cannot afford to bear.
Source: reliefweb
Original author: UN High Commissioner for Refugees
