Sudan Orders South Sudanese Refugees to Update Registration for Aid Access

KHARTOUM, July 4, 2026 - Sudanese authorities have instructed South Sudanese refugees living in Khartoum State to update their personal information under a new registration system, warning that failure to comply could affect access to humanitarian assistance and essential services. The Commission for Refugees said the data update and renewal of identity documents are mandatory measures aimed at ensuring refugees can continue receiving support from humanitarian organizations while maintaining their legal status in Sudan. Sudan currently hosts hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese refugees, making them the largest refugee population in the country. Many refugees have been displaced by years of conflict and instability in the region. Authorities said the new registration process will introduce a foreign national identification number system designed to improve documentation and strengthen protection mechanisms for refugees under Sudan’s asylum regulations. Refugees in Khartoum State have been directed to designated registration centres and camps, particularly in White Nile State, which hosts the country’s largest concentration of South Sudanese refugees due to its proximity to the border with South Sudan. The registration campaign follows recent efforts by Khartoum State authorities to relocate some refugee communities to organized camps, amid security concerns and allegations that some foreign nationals may have become involved in the ongoing conflict. Officials said maintaining updated registration records is essential for ensuring access to services, humanitarian assistance, and legal residency protections. Humanitarian agencies estimate that a significant number of South Sudanese refugees in Sudan remain without official registration, while many others live outside formal refugee camps, creating additional challenges for aid delivery and protection efforts.