22-28 March 2026 Sudan News Summary: displacement from Kurmuk, health and aid shortages

29 Mar

Arabic news roundup

By William Greenwood

The Blue Nile Humanitarian Emergency Room warned of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Kurmuk County, Blue Nile State, following a large-scale displacement in recent days due to escalating military operations.
On Tuesday, the “Ta’sis” alliance forces, comprised of the RSF and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu, announced their control of the Kurmuk area in Blue Nile State after clashes with the Sudanese army.
The Blue Nile Emergency Room stated that approximately 73,406 displaced people have arrived in Damazin and surrounding areas, noting that the majority of the displaced are women and children.
The statement explained that families were displaced under harsh conditions, leaving their belongings behind, and are now facing a critical humanitarian situation characterised by severe shortages of food and drinking water, overcrowded shelters, deteriorating health services, and increasing protection needs, especially for the most vulnerable groups.

UN Women revealed on Wednesday that most displaced families in the three Kordofan states have not received humanitarian assistance for the past three months.
The Greater Kordofan region is hosting 1,008,533 internally displaced persons (IDPs), 48% of whom are women and girls.
The report stated that 91% of families in North Kordofan, 72% in South Kordofan, and 87% in West Kordofan have not received aid, while most families who did receive assistance reported that it was insufficient to meet their needs.
UN Women warned of the catastrophic consequences of food insecurity for women, noting that 51% of displaced families in South Kordofan and 35% in West Kordofan had at least one member who went a full day and night without food during the four weeks preceding the survey.
The report also cited a study conducted last year indicating that 75% of female-headed households in Sudan suffer from food insecurity, and in terms of food security these households are also three times more likely to experience food insecurity compared to those headed by men.

Gezira State in central Sudan is facing a severe shortage of medical services for its citizens, particularly medical tests, which are almost nonexistent following the collapse of the health sector in the state after the war.
Residents of the state are forced to travel to Merowe in northern Sudan to undergo medical tests and access other health services, despite Gezira having a large number of hospitals and medical centres.
Gezira is considered the second major center for health services in Sudan after Khartoum State, distinguished by its high concentration of hospitals and specialised centres, most notably for heart, kidney, and oncology services.
More than 60 hospitals and health facilities in Gezira State have been completely rendered inoperable due to the ongoing war and attacks that have severely damaged the infrastructure. This has led to the complete cessation of basic medical services in many areas as a result of resource scarcity and a shortage of medical personnel.

By Samuel Hunt

In North Darfur, a drone strike on a market in Saraf Omra killed at least 22 civilians, including an infant, while a separate strike on a civilian truck in North Kordofan killed six people, highlighting attacks on populated areas.
A UN representative warned that sexual violence is being used as a “form of warfare” in Sudan, with women and girls disproportionately affected amid displacement and limited access to support services.
Health workers in North Kordofan described civilians arriving in critical condition, saying: “We watched them die before our eyes,” as facilities are overwhelmed by wounded, malnourished patients and severe shortages of care.
Aid agencies warn that attacks on civilians, widespread sexual violence and collapsing health services are compounding Sudan’s already severe humanitarian crisis.

A Guardian investigation finds that US and UK officials had advance warnings of mass atrocities in El Fasher but failed to act, allowing the violence to unfold.
Civilians attempting to flee were ambushed in trenches described as “pits of hell”, with reports of drone strikes, executions, rape and house-to-house killings as RSF forces swept the city.
The investigation also highlights extraordinary civilian survival efforts, with families hiding, fleeing on foot and relying on improvised escape routes, while entire neighbourhoods were destroyed and survivors left without aid or protection.

Bill Greenwood