Lead

Nearly four million displaced people have returned to their places of origin in Sudan, only to face another struggle for survival due to destroyed homes and critical infrastructure, the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday. The returns are concentrated mainly in the capital Khartoum and the neighbouring agricultural state of Al Jazirah, according to IOM Deputy Director General Sung Ah Lee, who spoke to reporters during a visit to the country.

Coverage Comparison

The story has been covered by multiple outlets, including Africa News, Al Jazeera, and AllAfrica, with largely consistent reporting. All sources highlight the return of approximately four million people and the challenges they face, but some emphasize different aspects: Africa News and AllAfrica focus on the humanitarian crisis and the 'struggle for survival,' while Al Jazeera frames it as a 'chronic need for investment.' A separate report from Africa News notes that Khartoum is slowly returning to life after the army took full control in May 2025, but the city remains battered.

Key Claims

  • Nearly four million displaced people have returned to their places of origin in Sudan, with returns mainly in Khartoum and Al Jazirah state, according to IOM and multiple reports.
  • Homes and critical infrastructure, including water, health, and electricity, have been heavily damaged, as reported by IOM Deputy Director General Sung Ah Lee during her visit to Khartoum.
  • More than two million additional people are expected to return to Khartoum alone in 2026, per IOM projections cited by several sources.
  • Almost nine million people remain internally displaced, while over 4.5 million crossed into neighbouring countries, primarily Egypt, South Sudan, and Chad, according to IOM data.
  • The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, which erupted on 15 April 2023, has killed at least 59,000 people, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), as reported by Africa News. ACLED notes its toll is likely low due to reporting difficulties.
  • The Red Cross estimates that some 33 million people across Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance, as reported by Africa News.
  • IOM is seeking $170 million for its 2026 Sudan crisis response plan, but faces a $97.2 million funding gap that threatens the response, according to the agency's statement.

Perspectives

The UN and humanitarian agencies emphasize the need for urgent investment to restore essential services and rebuild infrastructure to make returns sustainable. 'Many are returning because they believe security has improved,' said Sung Ah Lee, while others find life in displacement unbearable due to economic pressures. Host communities in eastern and northern Sudan have carried much of the burden, welcoming displaced families while facing economic hardship and climate pressures.

The Sudanese government and military have not been directly quoted in the reports, but the army's seizure of Khartoum in May 2025 is described as allowing the return of about four million people. However, the remaining conflict and shifting front lines continue to pose risks. IOM's Sung Ah Lee noted that 'shifting front lines' and unpredictable power cuts complicate the situation, as she wrote on X.

Some sources, such as Al Jazeera, stress the 'chronic need for investment' and the risk that returns could prove unsustainable without coordinated responses. Others, like Africa News, highlight the broader humanitarian crisis and the daunting challenges ahead as the war enters its fourth year. The Red Cross estimates that 33 million people need assistance, underscoring the scale of the emergency.

While the return of millions signals a fragile improvement in security in some areas, the overwhelming consensus across all sources is that without immediate investment and stable conditions, the return could falter, leaving returnees and host communities alike in a precarious situation.