‘Half of Blue Nile state displaced’

SPLM-N says 510,000 people have left their homes because of recent conflict

Half of Blue Nile state’s residents have been displaced because of the recent clashes between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the government forces, according to sources in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).Hashem Erth Daw, humanitarian chief of the SPLM-N, the political wing of the SPLA, told Radio Dabanga, “510,000 people have been displaced from the region and nearly 17,000 refugees have fled to neighboring Ethiopia.”

Clashes broke out between the SPLA and government forces on September 2.

Hashem described the humanitarian situation in the state as being catastrophic and extremely dangerous in the absence of humanitarian organizations. The region, according to him, suffers from shortage of food and medicine after the government denied access to humanitarian organizations.

The areas of Geissan, Baw, Kurmuk, east and south Roseires have particularly suffered from lack of aid. Hashem confirmed that over 9,200 people fled to Ethiopia through Kurmuk and over 7,500 through Geissan.

He appealed to all international organizations and the United Nations to take action immediately and rescue the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the Blue Nile state. Hashem demanded the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to intervene and rescue the civilians in Blue Nile state.