Maban, Upper Nile State – South Sudan
A growing number of Sudanese refugees in Maban County, South Sudan, are returning to Sudan due to a worsening humanitarian situation in the refugee camps. The exodus is driven by severe shortages in basic services including food, healthcare, clean water, and education.
Maban has hosted tens of thousands of refugees, mainly from Sudan’s Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions. Initially supported by international aid and the UNHCR, camps like Doro, Batil, Gendrassa, and Kaya once offered stability. However, funding cuts have led to drastic service reductions, pushing refugees to the brink.
“We no longer have enough food or medicine,” said Ahmed*, a refugee leader in Doro camp. “People are returning to Sudan despite the risks.”
The decision to return is risky, as many parts of Sudan remain unstable. Refugees are making the journey through unofficial routes without organized support, putting vulnerable groups—especially women and children—at great risk.
Aid agencies have expressed alarm, urging international donors to boost funding. UNHCR’s 2025 appeal for South Sudan remains critically underfunded, and local authorities warn of further deterioration if urgent action isn’t taken.
This reverse migration highlights the growing cracks in global refugee protection efforts and calls for immediate, sustained humanitarian response to prevent deeper crises.
