Sudan's 9M Displaced: The World's Largest Displacement Crisis

Last updated: 5 October 2026

Photo: Sudan - Sebastian Baryli

The Sudan displacement crisis is the world's largest as of 2026. Approximately 9 million Sudanese have been displaced since the April 2023 outbreak of war between the SAF and RSF — combining 8 million internally displaced and over 3 million in neighbouring countries. Furthermore, the crisis has unfolded against the backdrop of pre-existing displacement from the 2003-2008 Darfur conflict and the 2019 revolution period. As a result, the cumulative scale exceeds even Ukraine and Syria. This article maps the Sudan displacement crisis in 2026, its geographic distribution, and the asylum implications.[1]

For wider context, see the Sudan country report.

The Scale of the Crisis

The Sudan displacement crisis exceeds the Ukrainian crisis and approaches the cumulative Syrian displacement totals. IOM Sudan's Displacement Tracking Matrix records over 8 million IDPs inside Sudan as of early 2026. Furthermore, UNHCR records over 3 million Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries — primarily Chad, South Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, and Libya. The total exceeds 11 million displaced.[2]

Geographic distribution of IDPs

• Khartoum state: Mass displacement following urban warfare.
• Darfur (all states): Ethnic targeting; mass displacement; siege of El Fasher.
• Sennar, Gezira: Displacement from agricultural heartland following 2024 RSF offensive.
• Kassala, Gedaref: Reception areas for displaced from western and central Sudan.
• Port Sudan area: De facto wartime capital; significant displacement reception.

Distribution of Refugees by Country

Chad: The Largest Host

Chad has received the largest number of Sudanese refugees — over 1.2 million as of early 2026. The Adre crossing has been a primary entry point. Furthermore, the existing Chadian refugee infrastructure, established during the 2003-2008 Darfur conflict, has been strained beyond capacity. UN agencies have warned that humanitarian assistance is insufficient. The eastern Chad refugee camps house communities of Masalit, Fur, Zaghawa, and other Darfuri ethnic groups.[3]

Khartoum and Central Sudan

The Khartoum metropolitan area — including Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum North — was the largest single source of displacement in 2023-2024. Furthermore, the urban warfare destroyed civilian infrastructure and made the metropolitan area uninhabitable for many residents. Most Khartoum residents have been displaced; many have fled to Port Sudan, Kassala, Egypt, or further abroad.[4]

Famine and Humanitarian Crisis

The displacement crisis is compounded by famine. The IPC Famine Review Committee declared famine conditions in parts of Sudan in August 2024 — the first formal famine declaration since 2017. Furthermore, the El Fasher area, parts of South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, and several other regions have been classified as Phase 5 (famine). Approximately 25 million Sudanese require humanitarian assistance.[5]

Protection Gaps

The Sudan displacement crisis has produced severe protection gaps. Funding for humanitarian response has been substantially below requirements. Furthermore, host country capacity in Chad and South Sudan has been overwhelmed. As a result, conditions in many displacement settings are documented as severe.[6]

• Insufficient humanitarian funding: UN appeals significantly under-funded.
• Sexual violence in camps: Documented in multiple settings.
• Disease outbreaks: Cholera and other communicable diseases.
• Education disruption: Most displaced children out of school.
• Family separation: Many families separated during displacement.
• Documentation loss: Many displaced lack identity documents.

Sudan's displacement crisis is the largest in the world. The combination of war, ethnic targeting, sexual violence, famine, and inadequate humanitarian response has produced suffering on a scale that demands urgent international attention.
UN OCHA, Sudan Humanitarian Situation Report (2024)

Asylum Implications

Sudanese asylum claims engage strong evidential foundations across multiple Convention grounds and humanitarian protection frameworks.[7]

Convention grounds

• Race; nationality (ethnicity): For Darfuri non-Arab claimants.
• Political opinion: For 2019 revolution activists; journalists.
• PSG (sexual violence survivors): Documented widespread sexual violence.
• PSG (former combatants): Defectors from SAF/RSF.

Article 15(c) Qualification Directive

Sudan's level of indiscriminate violence engages Article 15(c) of the EU Qualification Directive under the Elgafaji standard. Furthermore, civilians from active conflict zones — Darfur, Khartoum, parts of Kordofan and Blue Nile — engage subsidiary protection on this basis.

Humanitarian protection (UK)

UK humanitarian protection under paragraph 339C of the Immigration Rules covers Sudanese civilians from active conflict zones where Article 3 ECHR risk applies. Furthermore, the famine context engages Paposhvili-style analysis for vulnerable individuals.

Conclusion

The Sudan displacement crisis is the world's largest as of 2026, with approximately 9-11 million Sudanese displaced internally or abroad. Chad hosts over 1.2 million; South Sudan over 800,000; Egypt over 500,000. Furthermore, conditions in displacement settings are documented as severe. Therefore, Sudanese asylum claims engage multiple Convention and humanitarian protection grounds with strong evidential foundations. To commission a Sudan expert report, use the find expert witness service. For broader context, see the country reports section.