Sudan’s Blue Nile displacement reaches 73,000 after Kurmuk attack
March 26 2026 (ED DAMAZIN) – Activists said on Thursday that approximately 73,000 people have fled Al-Kurmuk in Sudan’s Blue Nile region following attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The RSF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu seized the border town on March 24. The offensive has sparked accusations that Ethiopia facilitated the attack from its territory.
The Blue Nile Humanitarian Emergency Room stated that according to data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 73,406 displaced people have arrived in Ed Damazin and surrounding areas.
Most of those fleeing the violence are women and children. The group described the humanitarian situation as extremely harsh, reflecting a deep tragedy for the local population.
Displaced families are reportedly facing a fragile reality characterized by acute shortages of food and clean drinking water. Overcrowding in temporary shelters and a lack of adequate housing have further complicated the crisis.
The Emergency Room emphasized that the current situation has exceeded the capacity of local response teams. It called for an urgent and coordinated intervention from all humanitarian partners.
The statement urged international and regional organizations to provide immediate emergency food aid and support water and sanitation services. It also highlighted the need for tents, blankets, and medical supplies.
The escalation in the Blue Nile region follows Western media reports suggesting Ethiopia is hosting a secret training camp for thousands of RSF fighters.
If confirmed, the camp would represent direct Ethiopian involvement in the Sudanese conflict. This development could provide the RSF with a significant supply of new recruits as fighting intensifies across southern Sudan.