UN warns millions of Sudanese displaced risk losing emergency shelter as aid funding dries up

Millions of displaced Sudanese face shelter shortages

On 6 November 2026, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) issued a joint statement warning that millions of people displaced by Sudan’s civil war could be left without emergency shelter. The agencies said that of the 15.4 million people across Sudan who urgently require shelter and basic household items, only about 10 % have received assistance. To date, 936,000 individuals have been helped, leaving a large gap between needs and available resources. The warning comes as funding shortfalls have depleted aid stocks, according to the joint statement. The crisis is set against the backdrop of Sudan’s ongoing displacement emergency, the largest in the world, which has persisted for more than three years since the war erupted in 2023.

Background

Hostilities erupted in 2023 as the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces engaged in combat regarding the merger of their units amid a scheduled shift toward civilian governance. The fighting has displaced around 8.6 million people within Sudan and forced more than 4.6 million to cross international borders. In addition, over 5.2 million people have returned to their home areas, only to find homes, infrastructure and basic services destroyed. In a briefing in Geneva, IOM Sudan chief Mohamed Refaat highlighted the strain on operations. He said that IOM had distributed more than 40 000 tons of aid earlier in the year, but warehouses are now empty. According to Refaat, the count of internally displaced individuals may climb once more despite recent repatriations, while humanitarian organizations have had to reduce their operational goals due to insufficient financial resources. He stated that the organization opted to assist just one in every ten individuals. However, he explained that even within that specific group, they were able to provide aid to only 900,000 people using the resources available to them.

Why it matters

A deficit in emergency shelter is expected to degrade the living situations of millions of Sudanese who have been displaced. Without adequate housing, individuals are exposed to health risks, insecurity and a lack of basic services. The UN agencies’ call for urgent funding underscores the potential for further deterioration in the humanitarian situation. The situation also highlights the challenges of sustaining aid operations in a protracted conflict, where resources are limited and the needs remain high.

What happens next

The joint declaration issued by UNHCR and IOM demands immediate financial support to restock emergency supplies and stop the further decline in the conditions faced by displaced Sudanese. No specific dates or further decisions were announced in the statement. The agencies continue to monitor the situation and advocate for additional resources to support those in need.