The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that thousands of civilians are fleeing Sudan’s Al Jazirah State due to a surge in violence that has forced over 500,000 people from their homes since October 20. According to the Sudan INGO Forum, this recent wave of hostilities in eastern Al Jazirah has led to some of the most extreme violence witnessed in the last 18 months, prompting calls for urgent international intervention to protect civilians and ensure safe aid delivery across Sudan.
Reports indicate that the violence began after a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander defected to the Sudanese army, intensifying attacks across the region. Civil society groups, such as the Al Jazirah Conference, report that RSF forces have cleared out or partially vacated hundreds of villages in eastern Al Jazirah, allegedly to alter the demographic composition by resettling new populations in the area.
The violence has led to severe humanitarian impacts, with displaced children arriving with gunshot wounds and other injuries. Cases of sexual violence, child separations, and arbitrary detentions have also been reported, creating a worsening humanitarian crisis. The OCHA report highlights the destruction of food crops and vandalism of solar water systems, further straining access to essential resources for families.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on November 1 that an estimated 135,400 individuals had been displaced within 10 days, many moving toward Gedaref, Kassala, and River Nile states, with Gedaref alone now hosting 76,900 displaced people. Although local humanitarian agencies have mobilized to support these displaced populations, movement restrictions and a communication blackout hinder the timely distribution of relief.
Humanitarian partners, particularly in Kassala and Gedaref, are scaling up food assistance and shelter support, distributing high-energy biscuits, food baskets, and nutrition supplements to thousands of IDPs. Emergency shelters, mobile health clinics, and psychosocial support programs are also being implemented. However, the growing number of displaced persons, coupled with restricted access for humanitarian organizations, continues to complicate relief efforts.
As the RSF imposes restrictions on residents’ movements and enforces payments for “protection,” fears of further forced displacement and demographic shifts persist.
