Fighting and floods displace thousands more across Sudan

At least 200,000 people have been newly displaced across the wider Kordofan region since late 2025, IOM said on 19 August. In Sheikan locality, which includes El Obeid, displacement rose by 25% in eight months.

The rainy season added to the hardship. Heavy rain destroyed or damaged nearly 1,350 shelters in camps in Tawila, North Darfur, displacing more than 1,000 families. In West Darfur, nearly 18,000 people were displaced in the first half of August, and in Blue Nile 7,800 people were displaced, some crossing into Ethiopia (IOM).

IOM said 8.6 million people remain displaced inside Sudan, and warned that shipping disruption was slowing aid supplies.

Sudan is one of the world’s largest displacement crises.

Amy Pope, IOM Director General, 19 August 2026

Key figures

• 8.6 million people displaced inside Sudan (IOM)
• More than 200,000 newly displaced in Kordofan since late 2025 (IOM)
• Nearly 1,350 shelters destroyed or damaged in Tawila camps (IOM)

Sources

• IOM: Sudan: 200,000 newly displaced as fighting and floods intensify (19 August 2026)
• UN News: Sudan war: 200,000 newly displaced as fighting and floods intensify (19 August 2026)

Photo: Faruk Tokluoğlu / Pexels · Sudan