Blue Nile State is home to more than a million people, representing more than forty different ethnic groups forming a heterogeneous society characterized by both ethnic and cultural diversity. About 75% of the population live in rural areas and 25% in urban centres.

The civil war severely affected the State. The southern part of the State was heavily mined and made inhabitable for its population. A lack of human capacity and sufficient funds has left the State with a poorly-developed service provision in key sectors including health and nutrition.

In early September 2011, fighting broke out in the State capital, Ed Damazine, between the Sudan Armed Forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement- North, which quickly spread to other parts of the State.

Some 200 000 people have been affected by the fighting, including over 66 000 who have been displaced internally and over 35 000 who have crossed the border into Ethiopia and 54 000 into South Sudan.

 

In photos:  WHO's interventions in Blue Nile