More than 200,000 people have been newly displaced across Sudan's Kordofan, the UN says.
Why it matters: The surge deepens one of the world’s largest displacement crises and underscores worsening instability in a strategically important part of Sudan. Damage to power and water systems in El Obeid threatens civilians, hospitals and communications.
- The International Organization for Migration said more than 200,000 people have been newly displaced across Kordofan since fighting intensified in late 2025.
- In Sheikan district, displacement has risen 25% over the past eight months.
- Repeated fighting and drone attacks in El Obeid have hit the city’s main power transformer, cutting electricity needed to pump water, run hospitals and keep phone lines working.
- UNFPA said 21 drone-related incidents hit North Kordofan between July 1 and July 19, and 68,500 displaced people were being hosted in Sheikan locality camps.
The UN’s International Organization for Migration said the displacement spike comes as fighting intensifies across Sudan’s Kordofan region, where civilians are being pushed from homes and essential services are breaking down. The figure adds to a war that began in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces and has already displaced millions inside Sudan and across borders.
In El Obeid, repeated fighting and drone attacks have damaged the city’s main power transformer, cutting electricity needed to pump water, run hospitals and keep phone lines working, according to Al Jazeera. UN officials have warned that El Obeid could become the next El Fasher if civilian infrastructure and access continue to deteriorate, according to a UN Geneva briefing.
UNFPA said conditions in North Kordofan worsened sharply in July 2026, citing 21 drone-related incidents between July 1 and July 19, damage to main water infrastructure in Sheikan locality and electricity available for only about three hours a day. Its flash update said 500,000 people were affected in the El Obeid response area and 68,500 displaced people were being hosted in Sheikan locality camps including Mina Al Bari and Tagat. UNFPA said the service breakdown was worsening living conditions across the area.
Displacement is still accelerating. The IOM said 4,250 people fled three villages in North Kordofan’s Shikan locality on August 14-15, showing movement on the ground continued after the larger regional estimate was published. Anadolu reported the new flight from the area, citing the UN migration agency.
By the numbers
- 200,000+ - people newly displaced across Kordofan since fighting intensified in late 2025
- 25% - increase in displacement in Sheikan district over the past eight months
- 21 - drone-related incidents in North Kordofan between July 1 and July 19, 2026
Yes, but: The 200,000 figure is a regional displacement estimate, not a count of people newly uprooted from El Obeid alone.
What's next: UN agencies are likely to keep updating displacement and access conditions as fighting continues in North Kordofan.