Khartoum: Nearly 100,000 people have been displaced in Sudan's southeastern Blue Nile state since January amid escalating fighting between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Sunday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the IOM reported that an estimated 99,277 people, representing 19,497 families, were displaced from various parts of Blue Nile state between January 11 and August 23, 2026. This marks a significant 66% increase from the previous update on May 21, which recorded 59,742 displaced individuals.

The report highlights that nearly half of those displaced, around 47%, are children under the age of 18. The IOM specified that 39,570 people were displaced from Geissan locality, 32,515 from Kurmuk, and 27,192 from Bau. These populations have moved to seven different locations across Blue Nile state, with Damazin receiving the largest number, 45,740 people, and Geissan accommodating 15,735 individuals.

The IOM further detailed the living conditions of the displaced, stating that 58% are staying at informal gathering sites, 9% are residing with host families, and 33% are taking shelter in schools and other public buildings. The ongoing conflict has intensified in recent days, with the RSF and its ally, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North, launching attacks on several areas in the state.

Sudan's humanitarian situation has deteriorated since the conflict erupted in April 2023 between the army and the RSF over disagreements regarding the integration of the paramilitary force into the military. The protracted conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced approximately 13 million people, based on UN and international estimates.