Muscat: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that nearly four million people have voluntarily returned to their homes across Sudan, warning that the returns could become unsustainable without urgent investment to restore essential services and provide livelihoods.

According to Oman News Agency, Sung Ah, IOM Deputy Director General for Administrative Affairs and Reforms, told a press conference that families are undertaking extremely arduous journeys to return, with movements concentrated particularly in Al Jazirah and Khartoum states. Many are returning because they believe the security situation has improved, while others are coming back because life in displacement has become unbearable, due to economic pressures or to rejoin their families, she said.

Following her visit to Khartoum, the UN official explained that large numbers of people are returning to areas where homes and vital infrastructure - including water, health, and electricity facilities - have suffered severe damage. Host communities in eastern and northern Sudan - Kassala, Al Qadarif, Red Sea, Northern State, and River Nile - have borne a heavy burden, welcoming displaced families while already facing economic difficulties and climate-related pressures, she said. This has stretched available infrastructure to its breaking point.

Although farmers are returning to their fields, in areas where irrigation networks and agricultural equipment have been damaged, livelihoods and food production are now under grave threat at a highly critical juncture for Sudan, Sung Ah added.