Arab Countries

IOM: Number of Sudanese returnees to their areas reached 4.6 million

The International Organization for Migration based its estimates on field surveys covering about 13,000 sites in 185 localities across Sudan's 18 states.

Sudan is suffering from a severe displacement crisis due to the ongoing armed conflict since 2023.

Adel Abdelrheem

23 July 2026 • Update: 23 July 2026

SUDAN

Khartoum / Adel Abdelrahim / Anadolu

The International Organization for Migration revealed that the number of returnees among the displaced and refugees to their areas of origin in Sudan reached 4,649,056 people, amid a continued decline in the number of internally displaced.

The UN agency explained that these figures are derived from surveys conducted in about 13,000 sites across 185 localities in all states of Sudan.

It stated that the number of internally displaced persons is estimated at 8,685,273 people distributed across 185 localities, following a 25 percent decrease compared to the highest recorded level of displacement, and a decline of about one percent compared to the previous month.

The data showed that 82 percent of returnees were internally displaced persons, while 18 percent returned from abroad, distributed across 74 localities.

It indicated that children under 18 constitute about half of the displaced and returnees, with their proportion reaching 55 percent of the total displaced and 50 percent of the total returnees.

The organization also stated that the number of returnees increased by 5 percent compared to the previous month.

On June 15 last, the organization announced that the number of internally displaced persons had dropped to 8,805,506 people.

At that time, the number of returnees to their areas reached 4,441,384 people, representing a 24 percent decrease compared to the highest level recorded in January 2025, when their number was 11,585,384 people.

This decline is attributed to the increasing return movement after the Sudanese army regained control of the states of Khartoum, Sennar, and Al Jazirah from the Rapid Support Forces.

In addition to Darfur and Blue Nile State (southeast), the three states of the Kordofan region (North, West, and South) have been witnessing fierce clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces since October 25 last.

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is worsening due to the war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces that has been ongoing since April 2023 over a dispute regarding the unification of the military institution, which has left tens of thousands dead and about 13 million displaced and refugees, according to UN estimates.

These data come at a time when some areas are witnessing relative security improvement allowing residents to return. However, the number of displaced people remains very large, posing a huge humanitarian challenge. The high proportion of children among the displaced and returnees indicates an urgent need for protection and education services. The International Organization for Migration continues to update its data monthly to monitor displacement and return movements.