The ongoing war in Sudan, which erupted in mid-April, has led to the displacement of more than 10.7 million people within and outside the country, according to Othman Belbeisi, the Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
In an exclusive interview with the Arab World News Agency’s TV service, Belbeisi revealed the urgent need for $320 million in funding to support an IOM initiative aimed at assisting over 1.2 million Sudanese throughout the current year.
The conflict between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces broke out in April, following weeks of escalating tensions over plans to integrate the Rapid Support Forces into the military.
This occurred as military and civilian parties were finalizing a politically mediated process supported by the international community.
Belbeisi also highlighted the grave dangers of irregular migration, particularly through the Mediterranean route, which he described as one of the most perilous migration paths globally.
“So far, nearly 28,000 lives have been lost in the Mediterranean, including 3,000 in 2023 alone, making it one of the deadliest migration routes in the world,” Belbeisi stated.
This alarming situation underscores the critical humanitarian crisis stemming from the Sudanese conflict and the broader challenges of migration and displacement in the region.
