UN says 28,000 displaced in Blue Nile as conflict spreads

April 7, 2026 (ED DAMAZIN) – Escalating violence in Sudan’s Blue Nile State has displaced more than 28,000 people since mid-January, the United Nations said on Tuesday, as drone strikes and supply blockades cripple the humanitarian response.

Displacement in the Blue Nile began after an alliance between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) launched an attack on Baw last January. The flight of civilians intensified following attacks by the allied fighters on Al Kurmuk and areas near Geisan this past March.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that over 4,000 of these displacements occurred in the last 10 days alone. New data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) shows that 87% of these newly displaced individuals are sheltering at informal gathering sites, while 9% are in schools and public buildings.

The influx of people into the state capital, Ed Damazin, has triggered acute shortages of food and water. IOM surveys indicate that 64% of displaced households in the state lack access to clean drinking water, with many reporting that water points are too distant or non-functional. Additionally, 73% of households report critical issues with sanitation, including a lack of gender-segregated facilities.

The humanitarian crisis is being exacerbated by targeted attacks on infrastructure. In White Nile State, a drone strike on Al-Jabalain Hospital recently killed 10 health workers, while the destruction of a medical warehouse has halted the delivery of essential medicines. Dujarric noted that fuel shortages in South Kordofan are further delaying aid and driving up costs.

Insecurity continues to choke key corridors, including the road between Rahad and Dilling. While some reports suggested the reopening of the route between Dilling and North Kordofan, Dujarric warned the situation remains highly fluid with active fighting reported in recent hours.

Despite the risks, UNICEF and the World Health Organization are conducting vaccination campaigns in the Kordofan region to address rising measles cases in crowded sites. However, IOM data show that 65% of those in need of healthcare cannot access it due to the high cost of treatment and consultations.

The United Nations reiterated its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and sustained humanitarian access. Pekka Haavisto, the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Sudan, remains in Nairobi for ongoing consultations to address the worsening conflict.