Nearly 4 million people have voluntarily returned across Sudan amid ongoing conflict, but the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that without urgent investment in basic services, infrastructure, and livelihoods, these returns risk becoming unsustainable. Many returnees have settled in areas such as Aj Jazirah and Khartoum, driven by improved security in some locations, economic hardship, family reunification, and deteriorating conditions in displacement sites and neighbouring countries.
Despite their return, many communities continue to face severe destruction and service collapse. Khartoum is experiencing rising return movements that are placing additional pressure on already damaged infrastructure, including water systems, electricity networks, health facilities, and housing. In Aj Jazirah, a key agricultural region, damaged farming systems and equipment are threatening food production and livelihoods at a time of worsening food insecurity.
The scale of displacement in Sudan remains immense, with nearly 12 million people previously forced from heavily affected regions and more than 4 million seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Today, around 9 million people remain internally displaced, while eastern and northern states continue to host large displaced populations, straining already limited public services and economic resources.
IOM highlights that return and displacement are deeply interconnected processes that are reshaping communities across the country. As people move between displacement sites and areas of return, pressure on health systems, water access, protection services, and livelihoods continues to grow, affecting both returnees and host communities alike.
The agency stresses that returning home should mark the beginning of recovery, but for many it instead means confronting destroyed homes, limited services, and economic uncertainty. IOM Deputy Director General SungAh Lee emphasized that safe and dignified returns require access to basic services, shelter, and livelihood opportunities to prevent further instability.
During high-level engagements with Sudanese government ministries, IOM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting recovery efforts in line with broader UN displacement strategies. The organization is working to combine life-saving humanitarian assistance with longer-term resilience and system recovery efforts, supported by reliable data and coordinated responses.
However, with a significant funding gap in its 2026 Crisis Response Plan and millions more returns expected, particularly to Khartoum, IOM warns that stabilizing return areas will require sustained international support. Without adequate resources and coordinated action, the fragile gains made by returning populations could quickly unravel, undermining long-term recovery and stability in Sudan.
