In Sudan, 200,000 newly displaced as fighting and floods intensify, closure of Red Sea and Hormuz strait threatens aid

Geneva/Khartoum, 19 August 2026 – Sudan is facing mounting displacement and humanitarian pressures as escalating conflict and destructive seasonal flooding compound an already grave humanitarian situation, even as significant numbers of people return to Khartoum. Humanitarian access is further disrupted by delays in global supply chains, particularly through the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz, adding pressure to an already fragile response. The country has 8.6 million people internally displaced and significant cross‐border movements into neighbouring countries. In other parts of the country, escalating conflict, repeated attacks on infrastructure, and destructive seasonal flooding are compounding humanitarian needs and stretching families beyond their limits. “The warning signs are impossible to ignore. Across Sudan, families are fleeing violence, losing access to water, electricity, and health care, and now facing the added burden of destructive floods. Without urgent action to protect civilians and restore essential services, the suffering will deepen,” said IOM Director General, Amy Pope, as the Organization continues its humanitarian response. In North Kordofan, intensified fighting and drone strikes on El Obeid’s main electrical transformer triggered prolonged power outages, disrupting water pumping, health facilities, and telecommunications. Displacement has surged by 25 per cent in Sheikan locality over the past eight months, with more than 200,000 people newly displaced across the wider Kordofan region since late 2025. In Blue Nile, clashes in and near Geissan displaced 7,800 people, some crossing into Ethiopia. Meanwhile, in West Darfur nearly 18,000 people were displaced in the first half of August. Heavy rainfall in Tawila, North Darfur, destroyed or damaged nearly 1,350 homes last week, displacing over 1,000 families, while additional flooding in Kabkabiya and Shangil Tobaya forced dozens of families into temporary shelters. Despite these challenges, IOM is scaling up its response. Over the last 72 hours, the Organization delivered 1,750 metric tonnes of humanitarian supplies, including 17,750 hygiene kits and 850 tents, already directly benefiting 110,750 people in areas where needs are most acute. This will rise to over 400,000 over the coming days. “Sudan is one of the world’s largest displacement crises. The combined impact of conflict, infrastructure damage, and flooding is stretching thousands of families beyond their limits,” added Pope. “IOM is committed to delivering life-saving aid, but urgent support is needed to sustain shelter and pipeline operations before conditions worsen further.” With funding for shelter interventions sharply declining, IOM calls for enhanced support to ensure continued delivery of assistance to millions of people affected across Sudan. For more information please visit IOM's Media Centre.