UN agency reports Sudan as largest global displacement crisis, calls on US not to overlook

Continued conflict in Sudan has led to one of the largest displacement crises in the world, according to a new report from the UN Refugee Agency this week which called on the U.S. and other nations not to lose sight of the “forgotten” crisis.

According to the report, an estimated 5.8 million people were forced to flee their homes in Sudan last year after fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April 2023. Combined with displacement from previous conflicts, the total number of displaced Sudanese people crested 9 million by year-end — the largest displaced population ever reported.

As other international upheavals have captured the world’s focus, UNHCR spokesperson Kathryn Mahoney said in a statement that continued attention and aid from the U.S. is critical to addressing the growing crisis in Sudan.

“More than ever, we need countries like the United States to continue to provide humanitarian support, to keep attention on forgotten crises like Sudan, and maintain focus on finding solutions such as conflict resolution and increased resettlement spaces for the most vulnerable refugees,” Mahoney said.

The report also pointed to Sudan as the primary indicator of the hazardous intersection of conflict and climate-related dangers, alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. The refugee agency warned that the international community’s failure to address the consequences of climate change risks increasing displacement-inducing events.

Total global displacement reached 117.3 million by the end of 2023, marking an 8 percent rise from the previous year and setting the grim milestone of the 12th consecutive year of increase in global displacement.

The number of people fleeing their home countries in search of international protection also increased by 7 percent from 2022 levels, reaching 43.4 million. According to the report, the jump reflects new displacement largely from Sudan.

“Behind these stark and rising numbers lie countless human tragedies,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. “That suffering must galvanize the international community to act urgently to tackle the root causes of forced displacement.”