The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have issued a joint statement highlighting the urgent need for shelter and essential household items for 15.4 million people in Sudan. As of November 6, 2026, the two organizations have expressed concern over the limited funding available to address this critical issue. With current resources, humanitarian organizations can only prioritize assistance for 10% of those in need.
According to the UNHCR and IOM, approximately 936,000 people have received assistance so far, but the needs remain substantial. The organizations have reported that emergency supplies are nearly depleted, raising fears of a worsening situation in the coming months. Sudan's humanitarian crisis has resulted in significant displacement, with around 8.6 million people internally displaced and over 4.6 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
Despite over 5.2 million people returning to their places of origin, their living conditions have not necessarily improved. Many families have found their homes destroyed, infrastructure damaged, and essential services severely disrupted. As a result, they require assistance to rebuild their daily lives. The UNHCR and IOM emphasize that addressing these needs is crucial to preventing further deterioration of the situation.
The 2026 Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan requires $2.9 billion to assist 20.4 million people out of the 33.7 million in need. However, only about 47% of the required funding has been mobilized. The UNHCR and IOM are calling for urgent mobilization of funds to replenish emergency stocks and strengthen assistance to affected families.
The lack of financial resources is a significant obstacle to humanitarian intervention, alongside difficulties in accessing affected populations. The UNHCR and IOM stress that without sufficient funding, the humanitarian response will be severely compromised. The organizations are working to provide critical assistance, but the funding gap must be addressed to prevent a further escalation of the crisis.
Chad, a neighboring country, has been affected by the Sudan crisis, with an influx of refugees reported in the eastern region. The French forces in Chad have provided logistical support for the relocation of Sudanese refugees. This assistance is crucial in helping to alleviate the pressure on local resources and ensuring the well-being of those fleeing the conflict.
The UNHCR and IOM continue to work together to address the humanitarian needs in Sudan and neighboring countries. Their efforts focus on providing shelter, essential household items, and other critical assistance to those affected by the crisis. The organizations urge donors to provide urgent funding to support their response efforts and help mitigate the suffering of those affected by the conflict.
Key points
- 15.4 million people in Sudan require shelter assistance
- UNHCR and IOM warn of urgent need for funding to address crisis
- Only 47% of required funding for 2026 Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan has been mobilized
