Displacement – Conflict Escalation Drives Fresh Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan Region
Displacement – Renewed fighting and prolonged insecurity across parts of Sudan and South Sudan are forcing hundreds of thousands of people from their homes, intensifying an already fragile humanitarian situation, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Aid agencies warn that continued violence, food shortages, and limited access to basic services are leaving displaced families increasingly vulnerable.
Growing displacement in South Kordofan
In Sudan’s South Kordofan state, recent assessments conducted by OCHA teams revealed a rapidly deteriorating situation. A mission to the Abu Jubaihah locality last week found more than 10,000 displaced people sheltering in makeshift camps. These sites are struggling to meet even the most basic needs, with critical shortages reported in food supplies, healthcare services, clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, shelter materials, and access to education.
Most of the newly displaced families fled from the state capital, Kadugli, and the city of Dilling, where insecurity and hunger have become increasingly severe. Others arrived from neighboring regions, including West Kordofan and East Darfur, while some crossed into the area after traveling through South Sudan. Many endured long and hazardous journeys, often with limited belongings and little access to assistance along the way.
Darfur arrivals strain limited resources
In North Darfur, humanitarian partners have also reported fresh waves of displacement. More than 1,000 people have recently arrived in the Tawila area, where resources are already stretched thin. Families there are facing acute shortages of food, medical care, and essential household items, further compounding the humanitarian burden on host communities.
Aid organizations have established community kitchens to provide hot meals, offering some immediate relief. However, OCHA emphasized that food assistance alone is not sufficient. Additional support is urgently needed to address gaps in healthcare, shelter, and basic living supplies, as well as to improve access to clean water and sanitation.
Continued movement in other Sudanese states
Displacement is not limited to South Kordofan and Darfur. OCHA reported ongoing population movements in East Darfur and Blue Nile states as well, driven by persistent insecurity and economic hardship. The cumulative effect of these movements is placing immense pressure on local infrastructure and humanitarian response systems that were already under strain.
Escalating crisis in South Sudan’s Jonglei state
Across the border in South Sudan, the situation remains equally concerning. Since late December, renewed clashes and airstrikes in Jonglei state have forced an estimated 280,000 people to flee their homes. Many have sought refuge in overcrowded displacement sites, where access to aid remains limited due to ongoing fighting and security constraints.
OCHA noted that humanitarian operations in Jonglei face significant challenges, with insecurity restricting the movement of aid workers and the delivery of life-saving assistance. These conditions have heightened the risk of disease outbreaks among displaced populations.
Cholera outbreak and operational risks
In Jonglei’s Duk County, overcrowding and inadequate access to safe water and sanitation have contributed to the spread of cholera. The United Nations and its partners are working to expand treatment capacity and prepare vaccination campaigns to contain the outbreak, according to reports cited by Xinhua news agency.
Despite these efforts, humanitarian operations across both countries remain under serious threat. OCHA reported that facilities and assets, including vehicles, boats, and office equipment, have been looted or damaged. Aid workers have also faced intimidation, further undermining response efforts and limiting the reach of critical assistance.
As insecurity persists and displacement continues, humanitarian agencies warn that without improved access, protection for aid operations, and increased international support, conditions for affected communities are likely to worsen in the coming months.