Thousands of Sudanese refugees are making their way back home after months or even years in exile, only to find their country shattered by war, poverty, and disease. The mass return comes amid one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with entire cities in ruins and basic services barely functioning. According to a new report by the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 1.5 million Sudanese have returned home since January 2024, even as conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to displace millions more inside the country. The war, which erupted in April 2023, has killed tens of thousands and forced over 12 million people to flee their homes—making it the largest displacement crisis in the world.
For many returnees, homecoming means starting over in cities that barely exist anymore.
“I came back from Egypt two weeks ago,” said Jamal Ahmed, a 70-year-old former resident of Khartoum. “I found my house looted. There’s no electricity or water, and people are sick and hopeless. But I decided to return to at least die at home. Nowhere is like your home.” The situation in Khartoum, once Sudan’s bustling capital, remains dire despite the army’s recent efforts to reclaim the city from RSF fighters. Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, hospitals are out of service, and food prices have skyrocketed. Still, thousands continue to return, driven by the desire to rebuild.
Local communities and volunteers are stepping in where government institutions have collapsed. “We’re starting from scratch,” said Amal Ahmed, another returnee. “Young people abroad are sending money to help install solar panels, fix wells, and buy medicine. People are surviving with their own efforts.” International aid agencies warn that the return of refugees could overwhelm what remains of Sudan’s fragile infrastructure. The World Food Programme (WFP) recently reopened its Khartoum office after more than a year of absence and has since expanded its relief operations. “Since re-establishing our presence in Khartoum three months ago, we’ve managed to reach over one million people through food distributions, community kitchens, and nutrition programs,” said Valerie Guarnieri, WFP Assistant Executive Director. “But it’s going to take time, resources, and a lot of hard work to help the city get back on its feet.”
As the fighting intensifies in Kordofan and Darfur, attacks on water and power infrastructure are worsening conditions for civilians. Outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever are spreading rapidly, especially in overcrowded camps and destroyed urban areas. The United Nations estimates that 25 million people more than half of Sudan’s population now need humanitarian assistance, while famine looms in several regions cut off by fighting. For returnees like Jamal, survival is now a daily struggle. “We came back with hope,” he said quietly. “But we are living in ruins. All we can do is try to start again.”
