No turning back: A review of UNHCR’s response to the protracted refugee situation in Eastern Sudan

Eastern Sudan has hosted refugees from neighbouring Eritrea since the late 1960s, making this refugee situation one of the most protracted in the world. Peaking at around 800,000 in 1990, the refugee population currently stands in the region of 80,000, the majority of them living in camps. As in many protracted refugee situations, UNHCR’s room for manoeuvre in eastern Sudan is very limited. The Eritreans are not prepared to repatriate in view of the human rights situation in Eritrea and their opposition to the country’s government. While there is a growing interest in resettlement, few of the refugees have access to this solution.

This review was originally published by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.