2.7.6. Conflict-induced displacement and return

According to IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) Data, as of 30 July 2026, North Kordofan state was hosting 218 664 IDPs, the largest share of them displaced within the state (89 576), followed by Khartoum (58 745) and South Kordofan (49 641). About half of the total number of IDPs in North Kordofan were located in Sheikan district (108 467) in which El Obeid is located, followed by Um Rawaba with 34 445 and Ar Rahad district with 29 637. At the same time, an additional 224 732 displaced persons from North Kordofan were hosted in other states. As of 28 July 2026, IOM had not recorded any IDP returns in North Kordofan.877 Despite ongoing insecurity in the area of El Obeid, as of August 2026, people from surrounding areas were still seeking refuge in the city. While IOM estimated around 100 000 IDPs to be sheltering in El Obeid, estimations given by the local Humanitarian Aid Commission reached over one million.878