The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Thursday that approximately 4.65 million displaced civilians have returned to their home regions in Sudan. This figure indicates a steady decline in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) caused by the ongoing civil war, Anadolu reports.
According to an official statement from the agency, these updated statistics are derived from comprehensive surveys conducted at nearly 13,000 sites across 185 localities throughout Sudan’s 18 states.
The IOM noted that the total number of internally displaced people has decreased to approximately 8.69 million across 185 localities. This represents a 25% reduction from the peak displacement levels and a 1% decrease compared to the previous month.
The agency further specified that nearly 4.65 million individuals have returned to 74 different localities. Of these returnees, 82% relocated from internal displacement sites, while 18% returned from locations outside of Sudan.
Demographic data shows that children under the age of 18 represent roughly half of both the displaced and returning populations, accounting for 55% of all IDPs and 50% of all returnees.
The total number of returnees has seen a 5% increase over the last month, according to the agency.
On June 15, the IOM recorded 8.8 million internally displaced persons and just over 4.4 million returnees. This reflects a 24% decrease from the January 2025 peak, when displacement reached nearly 11.6 million people.
The decline in displacement is largely attributed to increased return movements following the Sudanese army’s reclamation of Khartoum, Sennar, and Al-Jazirah from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Despite the decrease in displacement numbers, Sudan’s humanitarian crisis persists due to the ongoing conflict between the army and the RSF. Sparked in 2023 by disputes over military integration, the war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced approximately 13 million people at its peak, according to UN estimates.
