The Horn of Africa grapples with an unprecedented displacement crisis as 25 million people, including 20 million internally displaced persons and 5 million refugees and asylum seekers, are forced to flee due to conflicts, food
The Horn of Africa is currently grappling with an unprecedented displacement crisis, with the number of uprooted individuals in the region surging to an alarming 25 million by the end of June 2024. This staggering figure, which includes 20 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) across six countries and 5 million refugees and asylum seekers, underscores the gravity of the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in the region.
According to a report published by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, in collaboration with the International Organization of Migration (IOM), the Horn of Africa remains the most afflicted region globally in terms of forced displacement. The escalating conflict in Sudan has been identified as a primary driver of this alarming increase, with the number of forcibly displaced persons rising from 20.5 million at the close of 2023 to a staggering 25 million by mid-2024.
The report highlights the severe conditions faced by the displaced populations, who are enduring high levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition. These challenges exacerbate an already dire situation, where access to basic necessities such as food, water, and healthcare remains critically limited.
The displacement crisis in Sudan is particularly pronounced. Since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, a staggering 7.9 million people have been forced to flee their homes, marking the country as the epicentre of the world’s largest internal displacement crisis. The consequences of this upheaval extend beyond Sudan’s borders, with approximately 2.3 million individuals seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. Notably, South Sudan has borne the brunt of this influx, hosting nearly a third of the Sudanese refugees.
Beyond Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia also harbour significant numbers of IDPs, further straining the region’s limited resources and infrastructure. The compounded effects of conflict, climate-induced disasters, and socio-political instability have rendered the Horn of Africa a theatre of unrelenting human suffering.
The IGAD and IOM report calls for immediate and sustained international support to address the burgeoning needs of the displaced populations. The institutions warn that without concerted global efforts, the humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa is likely to deteriorate further, with devastating consequences for millions of vulnerable individuals.
As the world’s attention shifts to the unfolding crises in other regions, it is imperative that the international community remains engaged in addressing the Horn of Africa’s displacement crisis. Failure to do so risks not only the exacerbation of human suffering but also the destabilisation of a region already teetering on the brink of chaos.
