Sudan Crisis Regional Response Annual Report 2025

Countries: Sudan, Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan Source: International Organization for Migration Please refer to the attached file. SITUATION OVERVIEW In 2025, Sudan remained the largest displacement crisis in the world. Over two years since the onset of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, violence has displaced over 9. 1 million people within Sudan and an additional 4. 4 million into the neighbouring countries. Displacement dynamics throughout the year exhibited increasingly complex and fluid mobility patterns. The escalation in conflict in Darfur — including and around Zamzam internally displaced persons (IDP) camp and the fall of Al Fasher—triggered new waves of displacement to other locations within Sudan and into Chad. The uptick in violence in North Darfur State contributed to the record arrival of more than 41, 000 Chadian returnees in eastern Chad between April and June 2025. In parallel, the evolving conflict situation in the Kordofan states, particularly in Kadugli, Dilling, and El Obeid, was associated with increased risk of additional internal and cross-border displacement, including towards South Sudan. Between 25 October and 30 December 2025, IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) reported over 64, 000 individuals were displaced across the Kordofan region due to increased insecurity. While new displacement remained widespread, over 3. 5 million individuals had returned to areas of origin by December 2025, resulting in a 21 per cent decrease in the number of IDPs compared to January 2025 as per DTM. Of the returnees, 83 per cent of them returned from internal displacement, while 17 per cent returned from abroad. An improved perception of security in areas of origin in Sudan was the primary driver for returns from abroad; however, economic pressures, legal constraints in host countries, or perceived livelihood opportunities in Sudan were additional factors influencing returns. Returns to Sudan are additionally influenced by ongoing conflicts in neighbouring countries, such as in South Sudan where fresh clashes in Upper Nile State, a surge in food insecurity, and the weakening of basic support systems emerged as critical drivers influencing returns to Sudan. Regardless of the reasons for return, the fact remains that returns frequently occurred to highly fragile conditions, with many returnees arriving in locations in Sudan with damaged or non-functional infrastructure, completely or partially damaged shelters, limited access to health services, inadequate water and sanitation systems, severe levels of food insecurity, and unexploded ordnance. While returns was a key trend in 2025, the largest displacement-affected population remained IDPs. Of those displaced in Sudan, the DTM-led Multisector Needs Assessment noted that IDPs bear the highest burden of needs, with 33 per cent in the high or extreme needs category, compared to 27 per cent among host communities and 10 per cent among returnees. Notably, the proportion of displaced households in gathering sites increased sharply during 2025, from 16 per cent in January 2025 to 25 per cent in October 2025. Moreover, food insecurity further deepened across Sudan, with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification noting that there were catastrophic (Phase 5) conditions in Al Fasher town in North Darfur and Kadugli in South Kordofan.

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