Struggling once more: Sudan's Syrian refugees confront a fresh conflict

In the heart of Africa, Sudan has been grappling with a complex humanitarian crisis since the outbreak of civil war in April 2023. This conflict, which erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has transformed Khartoum into a battleground, causing renewed displacement for thousands of Syrian refugees who had sought refuge in the country.

Prior to the conflict, an estimated 30,000 Syrians were living in Sudan, primarily in Khartoum, Omdurman, and other urban centres. Although not officially recognized as refugees by the UNHCR, Syrians in Sudan were granted de facto residence and allowed to assimilate into the local economy. However, as of early 2023, many Syrian refugees still lived in precarious informal settlements or shared housing, often in conflict zones with limited services.

The onset of the conflict in 2023 drastically altered the lives of these refugees. Markets ceased operations, food and medicine became scarce, and electricity and water services were cut off in many regions. The burden of survival shifted to informal networks and personal luck. Syrian refugees shared harrowing accounts of displacement and insecurity during the early months of the conflict.

Despite these challenges, community networks, such as The Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs), have provided support to Syrian refugees in Sudan. International organizations, including the United Nations, delivered humanitarian aid and coordinated support efforts. However, specific mention of aid for Syrians in Sudan during this period is limited. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded a pervasive deficiency in access to humanitarian aid for non-Sudanese citizens during the conflict.

As of 2024, more than 10.7 million people have been forcibly displaced across Sudan, making it the largest internal displacement crisis in the world. The UNHCR reports that Sudan now has one of the most rapidly escalating displacement problems globally. Despite the passage of time, Syrian refugees in Sudan remain displaced, with no evidence that they have begun returning to Syria.

Unfortunately, Syrian refugees in Sudan were rarely prioritized in evacuations led by foreign governments during the 2023 conflict. As of mid-2025, Syrians in Sudan continue to face impeded access to basic services, restrictions on mobility, and secondary or tertiary displacement.

The refugee population in Sudan, including Syrians, remains largely underserved and at risk, with limited access to protection or basic services. The UNHCR estimates that over 265,000 non-Sudanese refugees have been internally displaced by the conflict. The situation in Khartoum had become very dire in April 2023, as Syrian refugee Saleh Ismail al-Badran attested.

As the world watches Sudan's ongoing crisis, it is crucial to remember the plight of the Syrian refugees who have sought refuge there. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the global displacement crisis and the urgent need for continued humanitarian aid and support.