Nearly 120,000 displaced in Sudan’s Blue Nile state since January: UN agency

What the report says

The International Organization for Migration says nearly 120,000 people have been displaced in Sudan’s Blue Nile state since January, underscoring the continuing humanitarian impact of the country’s conflict. According to Anadolu Agency Africa’s report, the figure marks a 21% increase from the UN agency’s August update.

The displacement is concentrated in Blue Nile, a state in southeastern Sudan that has faced repeated instability and has also been affected by the wider war that erupted in Sudan in April 2023. The update points to worsening conditions for civilians who have been forced to leave their homes and rely on temporary shelter and assistance.

The new tally matters because displacement figures are often used by aid agencies and relief groups to assess needs for food, shelter, health care and protection. While the public article text was not available, the reported numbers indicate that the crisis in Blue Nile remains active and that population movement has continued to rise since the previous assessment.

More broadly, the situation in Sudan has created one of the world’s largest displacement emergencies, with millions uprooted inside the country. The latest estimate for Blue Nile adds to concerns about access to humanitarian aid and the long-term strain on local communities and services.