IOM: Nearly 50,000 Displaced by Conflict in Blue Nile

Khartoum – Sudanhorizon
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency on Tuesday, said that fighting in Blue Nile region of southeastern Sudan has displaced nearly 50,000 people from several areas. In a report, the IOM stated that 49,512 people were displaced from Kurmuk, Baw, and Qaysan following the escalation of the conflict on January 11, due to insecurity.
The report indicated that 25,630 of the displaced individuals fled to Damazin, while the remainder were scattered across Baw, Qaysan, Al-Rusayris, Kurmuk, Wad Al-Mahi, and Al-Tadamun.
The report explained that 78% of the newly displaced have settled in informal settlements, while 13% are being accommodated in shelters—such as schools and public buildings—and 9% have chosen to stay with host families.
People in these informal settlements lack protection and access to water sources and healthcare facilities. This exposes women and girls to the risks of gender-based violence and exploitation, especially since they constitute 53% of the displaced population.
The report stated that Blue Nile State is home to 361,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), according to statistics released at the end of March. These IDPs reside in 252 locations across seven localities.
It noted that 69% of the IDPs in Blue Nile have settled in rural areas.
The international organization stated that Blue Nile State has received 187,000 returnees who had previously fled their homes. Of these, 137,000 returned from outside Sudan, while the remainder returned from internal displacement sites.
It indicated that 67% of the returnees were registered in collective shelters rather than their original residences, unlike those who returned to other states and went directly to their homes. On April 13, the International Organization for Migration reported that nearly 4 million people had returned to their homes due to improved security conditions, with 92% of returnees going back to their original areas, while the rest moved to nearby areas due to continued risks or the destruction of homes.

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