Internally Displaced Peoples in Sudan

Internally Displaced Peoples in Sudan (Chapter 7) Return to Unit List

People in many parts of the world consider the ability to travel and move a privilege. Taking a vacation during spring break and moving to a different city to find work are desired and often taken for granted. For people who are displaced and forced to move, however, leaving one's home and living elsewhere indefinitely is not an option one chooses. IDPs, or Internally Displaced Persons, are the victims of any number of conflicts and natural disasters that constantly occur around the world. One extreme example of the phenomenon of IDPs is the case of Sudan, where decades of instability has created what the United Nations calls the "largest internally displaced population in the world." By studying Sudan's IDPs, one can better understand the concept of IDPs itself, as well as the intertwined relationships between neighboring nations and the world community as a whole in assisting IDPs.

Begin this lesson by reviewing the political situation of Sudan that has led to the internal displacement of so many people. To do so, read the summary by the U.S. Committee for Refugees.

Also explore the many links about Sudan on this site produced by the Global IDP Database.

What has caused the large number of IDPs in Sudan?

How have the movements of IDPs changed over the past five years?

Write a brief paragraph about what you perceive to be the main frustrations and everyday concerns of IDPs.

Next, read this article about fighting between Sudanese refugees and Kenyans. Finally, read about the conditions of IDPs from Sudan’s Darfur region read about the conditions of IDPs from Sudan’s Darfur region , some of whom have officially become refugees after crossing into Chad.

What has been the role of neighboring nations and international human rights groups in assisting Sudan and its IDPs?
What do you believe neighboring nations like Kenya should do to help Sudanese refugees? Remember that Kenya has internal problems of its own and doesn't have money to help refugees.
What do you believe you should do to help? Do you think that your nation's support of the United Nations is enough?
Are the problems that create IDPs solvable? Do you see a positive or negative future for such people?

A unit on Finding a Place in the World, on the "Lost Boys" (Chapter 2) highlighted the case of the Lost Boys of Sudan. These young men represent the large number of IDPs in Sudan, who were forced from their homes and lived in various refugee camps awaiting some permanence in their lives. They finally received it when they moved to Fargo, North Dakota. Review the story of their lives as IDPs by reading this article by Sarah Corbett "The Long Road from Sudan to America."

How would you describe the lives of the Dut brothers in Fargo?
Is moving to the United States a viable solution for the millions of IDPs of Sudan? What other options exist for all of these people?
What kinds of problems are holding back the relocation of more IDPs? Consider the situation from all the various perspectives, such as relief organizations, the United Nations, different nations, and the people themselves.

Read more about the problem of IDPs in this article about Uganda.