Khartoum, May 13 (QNA) - The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, announced that approximately 4.1 million people have returned to their original areas across Sudan, in what it described as a glimmer of hope amid one of the world's largest displacement crises.

IOM's Chief of Mission for Sudan Mohamed Refaat confirmed in a statement to UN News that the continued increase in the number of returnees - whether from inside or outside Sudan - represents a glimmer of hope that still illuminates the Sudanese case so far.

He added that the vast majority of returnees - more than 80% - ​​returned from within Sudan to nine major states, primarily Khartoum, Al-Jazirah and Sennar. The number of internally displaced persons has decreased by 23%, compared to the highest level recorded in the country in Jan. 2025, when the number of displaced persons reached nearly 12 million people.

The UN official explained that the increased rates of voluntary return indicate that the Sudanese people are holding on to their land and holding on to hope, even with a slight improvement in the security situation. He warned that the majority of returnees face harsh conditions in their original areas, where there is widespread destruction and the collapse of basic services.

He pointed out that about 70% of the homes to which residents are returning in Khartoum are partially or completely destroyed, while the areas of return suffer from a near absence of electricity, water, health and educational services. (QNA)