Intercommunal violence displaces over 30,000 in Blue Nile State

August 8, 2022 (KHARTOUM) – Over 31,000 people have been displaced following inter-communal violence in Ganis town of Ar Rusayris locality in Sudan’s Blue Nile State, the United Nations said.

About 12,800 people, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) have reportedly fled to Sennar State.

“Most of the displaced people (75 per cent) are taking refuge in schools and public buildings, while the rest (25 per cent) are taking refuge within the host community,” reads OCHA’s latest report.

The agency said partners carried out anthropometric measurements, including mass mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) screening for children under-five years and pregnant and lactating women.

“To date, about 3,077 children and 182 women were screened,” it said.

However, to ensure that responses are effective, nutrition partners are reportedly using an integrated response approach with water, sanitation and hygiene, health as well as food security and livelihoods.

Also, gender-based violence assessments were reportedly carried out in five schools hosting internally displace persons and about 3,800 dignity and assorted items were distributed to women and girls of reproductive age.

Last month, dozens of people were killed in fighting between Hausa and Berta in Sudan’s Blue Nile State forcing authorities to impose a curfew in a bid to reduce the bloody violence.

The clashes sparked in the three localities of Gaissan, Roseiris and Wad Al-Mahi, following the murder of one person during an argument between two people from the two tribal groups. Tensions also increased in the region following calls to recognise a chiefdom for the Hausa ethnic group who originate from Nigeria, but settled in the region for a long time.

(ST)