GENEVA, Jan 29 (KUNA) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned on Thursday of the deepening of the humanitarian situation in Sudan and rising needs as more than three million people return to their areas of origin despite widespread destruction to homes, basic services and critical infrastructure.
In a statement issued from Geneva IOM stressed the urgent need for sustained funding to meet the rising needs in areas of return and to support solutions that can help end the cycle of displacement.
The highest number of returns were recorded in Khartoum State where more than 1.3 million people returned followed by Aj Jazirah State according to IOM's latest data.
IOM noted that 83 per cent of returnees came from internal displacement while 17 percent returned from neighboring countries including Egypt, South Sudan and Libya as well as from the Gulf States.
The UN agency also reported an increase in displacement in Darfur and Kordofan due to the continued violence.
It stressed that the city of Al Fasher in North Darfur State alone hosts more than 1.2 million internally displaced persons, representing 13 percent of the total displaced population in Sudan amid ongoing displacement from several camps, including Zamzam and Abu Shouk.
IOM reiterated its call for sustained humanitarian funding to address the immediate needs of returnees and displacement-affected communities while supporting longer-term recovery and durable solutions.
"Without adequate resources and renewed efforts toward peace millions of Sudanese families will remain trapped in protracted displacement and instability unable to provide for themselves or their families.", the statement warned. (end) imk.aai