World · Africa · 23 hrs ago
Funding shortages leave millions of displaced Sudanese at risk of losing shelter
Sudan's civil war has displaced millions since fighting began in 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
An estimated 15.4 million people need emergency shelter and household items, the UN refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration say.
So far, 936,000 people have received assistance, and agencies can reach only about one in ten people in need.
IOM Sudan chief Mohamed Refaat said the agency's warehouses are completely empty after distributing more than 40,000 tonnes this year.
About 8.6 million people remain displaced inside Sudan, while many of the more than 5.2 million who have returned find homes and services damaged or destroyed.
The agencies are calling for urgent funding to replenish stocks, as the number of displaced people could rise again.
UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration warn that millions of people displaced by Sudan’s war may lose access to emergency shelter as funding and aid stocks run low.
An estimated 15.4 million people in Sudan urgently need emergency shelter and basic household items, but agencies can prioritize assistance for only about 10 percent.
So far, 936,000 people have received assistance, according to a joint statement.
IOM Sudan chief Mohamed Refaat said the agency’s warehouses were empty after distributing more than 40,000 tonnes this year.
The agencies called for urgent funding to replenish emergency stocks and prevent conditions from worsening.
- Who
- UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration issued the warning. Millions of people displaced in Sudan are at risk.
- What
- Funding shortfalls and dwindling aid stocks threaten access to emergency shelter and basic household items.
- When
- The warning was issued on Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Where
- Across Sudan.
- Why
- Funding constraints limit how much aid agencies can provide, while supplies are running low.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
War broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
IOM distributed more than 40,000 tonnes, according to Refaat.
UNHCR and IOM warned that funding shortages and dwindling aid stocks put emergency shelter assistance at risk.
- People needing shelter aid
- 15.4 million
- People who have received assistance
- 936,000
- Internally displaced people
- About 8.6 million
- People who fled across borders
- More than 4.6 million
- People who returned to areas of origin
- More than 5.2 million
- IOM supplies distributed this year
- More than 40,000 tonnes
3 sources
What people are saying
Just this year, IOM was able to distribute more than 40,000 tonnes, but our warehouses are completely empty now.
We decided to serve only one out of ten. But even within the one out of ten, we could reach only 900,000 people with what we had.
But these efforts cannot be sustained without predictable and flexible funding.
They offer a measure of safety and dignity, particularly for women, children and other people at heightened risk.