Sudan’s Displaced Population Drops by 1.65 Million, IOM Reports

The conflict has massively displaced people within the country, with Port Sudan being a refuge for many IDPs (AFP photo)

August 26, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sudan has fallen by nearly 1.65 million since its peak in January 2025, according to a new report from the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), primarily due to an increase in people returning to their homes.

As of late July 2025, an estimated 9,937,444 people were internally displaced across all 18 of Sudan’s states. This figure marks a significant decrease from the highest-ever recorded IDP population of approximately 11.5 million in January 2025.

The states experiencing the most significant relative decreases in their displaced populations were Kassala (20% decrease), Red Sea (14% decrease), and River Nile (11% decrease). Many of the IDPs previously hosted in these eastern states have been returning to their areas of origin in Khartoum, Al Jazirah, Sennar, and other states.

While internal displacement numbers have decreased, ongoing conflict continues to force people from their homes, particularly in the Darfur region. Clashes in Al Fasher, North Darfur, have led to repeated displacement, with many IDPs moving to other localities within the Darfur states.

Since the conflict began in April 2023, more than 7.5 million people have been newly displaced. The top states of origin for IDPs are Khartoum (31%), South Darfur (21%), and North Darfur (20%). Nearly half of all displaced households (47%) are staying with host families.

The cross-border situation also reflects these movements. Since January 2024, an estimated 272,361 individuals have reportedly returned to Sudan from Egypt. However, since the war began, over 4.2 million people in total have fled Sudan into neighbouring countries, including Egypt, Chad, and South Sudan.