Millions fleeing Sudan’s war risk losing shelter as funds run low, UN warns

What the report says

The UN refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration warned that millions of people displaced by Sudan’s civil war could be left without emergency shelter as humanitarian funding runs short and relief stocks are depleted. In a joint statement reported by Al Jazeera on Friday, the agencies said about 15.4 million people across Sudan need emergency shelter and basic household items, but current resources allow aid organisations to help only around 10 percent of that total.

The report said 936,000 people have received assistance so far, leaving a wide gap between needs and available support. Sudan’s war, which began in 2023 between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has created the world’s largest displacement crisis, according to the UN. Al Jazeera reported that about 8.6 million people have been displaced inside the country, while more than 4.6 million have crossed borders and over 5.2 million have returned to their home areas.

The agencies said returning families often find destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure and missing basic services. They stressed that shelter is especially important for women, children and others at heightened risk, and for people trying to restart their lives after displacement.

Speaking from Khartoum, IOM Sudan chief Mohamed Refaat said the agency’s warehouses were now empty and that operations had been scaled back because of limited funding. The agencies called for urgent, flexible financing to rebuild emergency stocks and sustain aid delivery in priority areas.