Geneva: The United Nations refugee agency has reported that over 1,000 Sudanese refugees have either reached or attempted to reach Europe in the early months of 2025. The surge in migration is largely driven by worsening conditions and significant reductions in humanitarian aid across the region.
The ongoing conflict between Sudan's military and the Rapid Support Forces has displaced around 12 million people over the past two years, what UN officials describe as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today.
Though a number of displaced individuals have returned to the capital, Khartoum, the majority remain stranded in neighboring countries such as Egypt and Chad, where aid services continue to shrink. This includes funding cuts from the United States, currently re-evaluating its assistance programs.
UNHCR spokesperson Olga Sarrado, speaking at a press briefing in Geneva, noted that 484 Sudanese nationals arrived in Europe during January and February—a 38% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Additionally, about 937 individuals were intercepted or rescued at sea and returned to Libya, more than double the number from the previous year.
“As humanitarian support collapses and the conflict shows no signs of ending, many more will be forced to make the dangerous journey,” Sarrado warned.
The perilous Mediterranean route continues to claim lives, with the UN migration agency reporting a record number of migrant deaths last year, underscoring the extreme risks refugees face in their search for safety.
