More than 100,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to Libya amid the escalating conflict in Sudan, with many hoping to continue their journey to Europe, according to Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Grandi issued a stark warning that if humanitarian aid to Sudan remains insufficient, the number of refugees making the dangerous trek across the Mediterranean to Europe could surge.
In an interview with AFP, Grandi described the situation in Sudan as “desperate,” stressing that the crisis — both a humanitarian catastrophe and a human rights disaster — is being largely ignored by the international community. With global attention focused elsewhere, particularly on Ukraine and Gaza, the Sudan crisis is slipping under the radar despite its immense scale.
The UN diplomat highlighted the role of smuggling networks in Libya, which are exploiting the refugees’ vulnerability and proximity to Europe. He noted that many Sudanese refugees are trying to board boats bound for Italy and other European countries, risking their lives in the process.
“We have warned European leaders,” Grandi said, emphasizing that without sufficient humanitarian support, Sudanese refugees will “keep moving forward” on their perilous journey to Europe.
The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has caused over 10 million people to be displaced. More than two million Sudanese have sought refuge in neighboring countries, with many now spilling over into Libya. Neighboring nations like Chad, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, and Egypt are already hosting tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees, with their resources stretched to the limit.
Grandi expressed concern that the refugee movement is expanding beyond the immediate neighboring countries as people search for more sustainable solutions. He noted a sharp rise in Sudanese refugees arriving in Uganda, a country that does not share a border with Sudan, reporting 40,000 new arrivals.
