In a stark portrayal of resilience and desperation, more than one million individuals have made their way back to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, which remains heavily scarred by ongoing conflict. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) disclosed this significant movement on Tuesday, highlighting the grim reality that these returnees face in a city where basic services are crippled and the infrastructure lies in ruins.

According to IOM's latest report, the returnees confront a precarious existence amidst continuing disease outbreaks, damaged homes, and a battered infrastructure. The conditions are further exacerbated by persistent threats of indiscriminate shelling, sexual violence, and ethnically targeted attacks. Ugochi Daniels, the IOM Deputy Director General for Operations, expressed her concerns during a recent visit to the city: "The scale of return to Khartoum is both a sign of resilience and a warning. I met people coming back to a city still scarred by conflict, where homes are damaged and basic services are barely functioning."

Despite the large number of returnees, they represent only about a quarter of those originally displaced by the conflict, with Khartoum still hosting over 3.7 million displaced persons. Farhan Haq, UN Deputy Spokesperson, emphasized the ongoing efforts to improve the situation: "We and our partners continue to scale up our response efforts where access allows."

This troubling report comes on the heels of multiple warnings and condemnations from various UN officials regarding the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan. A senior UN official recently warned that approximately 30 million people are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance as the civil war continues to ravage the country. Moreover, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has condemned the recent attacks on civilians, including the killing and injuring of many in El Fasher.

The civil war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has led to a protracted humanitarian crisis, affecting millions and leading to widespread displacement and suffering. The recent call by the UN for regional and international bodies to address the deepening crisis in neighboring South Sudan further underscores the severity of the regional instability.

The resilience of Khartoum's returnees is a poignant reminder of the human capacity to endure and rebuild amidst adversity. However, it also serves as a critical alert to the international community about the ongoing needs and challenges that must be addressed to ensure safety and recovery for all affected populations. The world watches and waits to see if enough can be done to help Sudan navigate its way through these harrowing times.