Blue Nile, September 17 (Darfur24)
The Civil Society Initiative in Blue Nile warned on Thursday that the humanitarian and health conditions of more than 42,000 displaced people in Qaysan and areas along the Ethiopian border are deteriorating amid severe shortages of food, water, shelter and healthcare.
In a statement, the initiative said 42,271 displaced people, comprising 3,803 families, are currently in the affected areas. They include 24,266 children, 11,713 women and 6,463 men.
The displaced are spread across Sansanaw, with 7,080 people; Famudu/Abu Daqla, 24,836; Aqru/Aju, 6,549; and Qal Inq, 1,488. Another 2,318 displaced people are in areas inside Ethiopia, according to the statement.
The initiative said many displaced people are living in the open without access to basic services, warning that conditions could worsen with the onset of the rainy season, which is expected to further restrict movement and humanitarian access.
It warned that shortages of food, water and shelter, combined with deteriorating health services, are increasing the risk of waterborne, environmental and mosquito-borne diseases. It also raised particular concerns about malnutrition among children and the impact of the crisis on children, women and older people.
The affected areas are under the control of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-North) and its ally, the Rapid Support Forces, amid continuing fighting and difficulties in delivering humanitarian assistance and basic services.
The initiative called on all parties to the conflict to urgently facilitate humanitarian and health access and take steps to prevent further deterioration of conditions for displaced people.
Blue Nile has witnessed escalating fighting between the Sudanese army and the SPLM-North and RSF, particularly around Qaysan and Kurmuk, triggering successive waves of displacement.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded about 99,277 people displaced from various locations in Blue Nile between January 11 and August 23, 2026. Of these, 39,570 were displaced from Qaysan, 32,515 from Kurmuk, and 27,192 from Baw. Most fled to Damazin, Qaysan, Baw, Wad Al-Mahi, and Al-Rusayris.