Fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces has displaced thousands in Blue Nile State. More than 28,000 people forced from their homes between April and January alone. The UN says Sudan’s conflict has created the world’s largest displacement crisis, with over 11.6 million people still displaced. Immediate, coordinated, and well-resourced protection and multisectoral action is required to prevent further loss of life.
KHARTOUM MAY 13: Fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces has displaced thousands in Blue Nile State, with more than 28,000 people forced from their homes between April and January alone. The RSF controls most of Kurmuk town near the Ethiopian border, whilst the army holds other areas including the state capital, al-Damazin, where displaced families have gathered in camps.
The UN says Sudan’s conflict has created the world’s largest displacement crisis, with over 11.6 million people still displaced and more than 30 million in need of humanitarian assistance as famine spreads across parts of the country.
Blue Nile State is one of the 18 states of the Republic of the Sudan. Established by Presidential Decree No. 3 in 1992, it is named after the Blue Nile River.
Following recent conflict developments and large-scale displacement. Since late March 2026, hostilities linked to the capture of Kurmuk and Maqja, near the Ethiopian border, have triggered new waves of displacement, exacerbating pre-existing vulnerabilities among internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees from South Sudan, and host communities.
Newly displaced populations are facing acute protection risks, including exposure to violence, gender-based violence, child protection violations, psychosocial distress, and lack of access to essential services, while humanitarian access remains constrained.
Immediate, coordinated, and well-resourced protection and multisectoral action is required to prevent further loss of life, mitigate protection risks, and uphold the rights and dignity of affected civilians.
