Returnees Face Bottlenecks As Millions Try To Resettle

Khartoum, August 24, 2026 - More than 1.24 million Sudanese have returned from neighbouring states since 2024, but nearly half have been unable to reach their intended destinations, exposing major constraints on mobility, security and basic services.

Egypt accounted for the largest share of return movements, with 823,000 people, followed by South Sudan with 223,000 and Chad with 103,000. About 72% of surveyed returnees said they still intended to go back to their original homes despite insecurity.

The return pattern is uneven. Some 59% identified Khartoum State as their intended destination, but only 34% had reached the capital. By contrast, 35% were concentrated in Al Jazirah State even though only 11% had planned to settle there, while Blue Nile, Northern and River Nile states also hosted returnees.

Many returnees had previously sought asylum abroad, while others cited protection risks and long border processing delays as reasons for returning. Their most urgent needs include financial assistance, food, healthcare, clean water, shelter, civil documentation and family reunification.

The gap between intended and actual returns is a key policy signal: reconstruction demand is rising in Khartoum and Al Jazirah, but damaged infrastructure, unexploded ordnance, weak services and limited jobs will slow the normalization of economic activity.