More Than 23,000 Displaced in Blue Nile Amid Escalating Fighting

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The Global Protection Cluster has warned that escalating hostilities in Sudan’s Blue Nile State have triggered new waves of displacement, increased protection risks and further restricted humanitarian access.

In an alert issued two days ago, the Cluster said more than 23,000 people have been displaced from Geissan and Al Kurmuk localities since August 11, noting that insecurity and movement restrictions are disrupting humanitarian operations and limiting access to essential services.

The Global Protection Cluster is a network of non-governmental organizations, international organizations and United Nations agencies working to protect civilians during humanitarian crises, including armed conflicts and disasters.

The alert warned that continued fighting and the possibility of further displacement, combined with the risks posed by explosive ordnance contamination, seasonal flooding and existing pressure on essential services, could further increase the risks facing internally displaced people, refugees and host communities, particularly women, children, older people and persons with specific needs.

The Cluster renewed its call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, facilitate safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access, ensure freedom of movement for civilians, and comply with international humanitarian law.

It also called on humanitarian organizations and leaders to maintain essential services, strengthen protection risk monitoring and preparedness, and maintain contingency arrangements in anticipation of any further deterioration in security or access to affected areas.