Nearly one in three people has been displaced in Sudan, either internally or across borders, over the past one thousand days since the outbreak of the conflict-a crisis that has devastated lives, uprooted communities, and triggered the largest displacement emergency in the world. On average, five displacement-triggering events have occurred every week over this period, resulting in widespread displacement.
"One thousand days of conflict have taken an unbearable toll on Sudan's people," said Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). "Behind every displacement statistic is a family doing everything they can to protect their children, preserve their dignity and survive with almost nothing. The courage of the Sudanese people must be met with sustained international action - action that protects civilians, supports displaced families, and creates the conditions for peace so people can safely return, recover and rebuild their lives."
According to IOM, 743 incidents have triggered displacement across Sudan since April 2023, including 524 conflict-related events and 219 natural hazards, such as floods and fires. Since the conflict began on 15 April 2023, more than 15 million people have been forced from their homes, including 11.58 million displaced within Sudan and approximately 4 million who fled across borders at the peak of the crisis.
The conflict has displaced twice as many people in one year than Sudan experienced over the previous two decades combined. At its height, Sudan hosted approximately 15 per cent of all internally displaced persons (IDPs) worldwide, meaning one in every seven IDPs globally was Sudanese.
Recent developments underline the continued volatility of the situation. Escalating violence in Al Fasher, North Darfur, in late October 2025 displaced more than 100,000 people , while ongoing clashes in the Kordofan region have forced approximately 65,000 people to flee in recent months. This has further contributed to increased cross border displacement into Chad and South Sudan in particular, with many fleeing into areas already marked by fragility.
Even before the current conflict, Sudan already hosted an estimated 3.8 million displaced people. Since April 2023, 41 per cent of them have been displaced again, highlighting the protracted and cyclical nature of displacement in the country.
After two years of fighting, the total number of IDPs decreased for the first time in February 2025, driven by return movements. After 1,000 days of conflict, approximately 9.33 million people remain internally displaced, while around 3 million people have returned to their areas of origin-over one million to Khartoum alone. However, returns remain fragile and are often occurring in areas with damaged infrastructure, limited services, and ongoing insecurity.
Children continue to bear the heaviest burden of the crisis. More than half of all internally displaced people in Sudan-55 per cent-are under the age of 18, facing disrupted education, heightened protection risks, and long-term consequences for their well-being and future.
As Sudan approaches its fourth year of conflict, IOM reiterates the urgent need for sustained humanitarian access, increased funding, and a renewed focus on civilian protection. Without meaningful progress towards peace and stability, millions of Sudanese will remain trapped in cycles of displacement, loss, and uncertainty.
