The latest displacement comes as Sudan continues to grapple with one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies. Since conflict erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, about 8.6 million people have been forced to flee their homes.
IOM Director General Amy Pope warned that the situation is worsening as violence, infrastructure damage and flooding combine to increase humanitarian needs. “The warning signs are impossible to ignore,” Pope said.
“Across Sudan, families are fleeing violence, losing access to water, electricity and healthcare, and now facing the added burden of destructive floods.”
Pope said urgent action is needed to protect civilians and restore essential services. “Without urgent action to protect civilians and restore essential services, the suffering will deepen,” Pope said.
In North Kordofan, heavy fighting and drone strikes damaged a major electricity transformer in El Obeid, causing prolonged power outages and disrupting water supplies, healthcare services and telecommunications.
The impact has been severe in Sheikan locality, where displacement has increased by 25% over the past eight months. More than 200 000 people have been newly displaced across the wider Kordofan region since late 2025.
Elsewhere, violence in and around Geissan in Blue Nile State displaced about 7 800 people, with some seeking refuge in neighbouring Ethiopia.
In West Darfur, nearly 18 000 people were displaced during the first half of August alone.
Flooding has further complicated the crisis. In North Darfur, heavy rains damaged or destroyed nearly 1 350 shelters in camps around Tawila, displacing more than 1 000 families. Additional flooding in Kabkabiya and Shangil Tobaya forced dozens more families into temporary accommodation.
IOM also warned that humanitarian operations are facing increasing pressure because of disruptions to global supply chains, particularly through the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the challenges, IOM said it delivered 1 750 metric tons of humanitarian supplies over the past 72 hours, including 17 750 hygiene kits and 850 tents. More than 110 000 people have already benefited from the assistance, with the number expected to exceed 400 000 in the coming days.
While millions remain displaced, more than 4.5 million people have returned to Sudan over the past 18 months, including many to Khartoum.
However, many returnees are finding communities without functioning water systems, electricity, healthcare facilities or schools. “Sudan is one of the world’s largest displacement crises,” Pope said.
“IOM is committed to delivering lifesaving aid, but urgent support is needed to sustain shelter and pipeline operations before conditions worsen further.”
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
