Sudan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (April 2025)

HIGHLIGHTS

Humanitarian access in Sudan deteriorated significantly due to intensified conflict, threats to aid workers, damage to critical infrastructure and growing bureaucratic impediments — further compounding the impact of recent funding cuts. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) escalated across Darfur, Kordofan and Omdurman, leading to mass displacement, increasing casualties and severe restrictions to humanitarian movements and operations. Operational challenges were compounded by administrative obstacles, including protracted delays in issuing visas and travel permits, as well as inconsistent approval procedures.

On 13 April, the RSF took control of Zamzam IDP camp in North Darfur, displacing more than 400,000 people, mainly to Al Fasher and Tawila. Reports indicate that 11 aid workers were killed in Zamzam, while two NGO staff members died in Al Fasher amid shelling. Several humanitarian compounds in Al Fasher were damaged or occupied by armed groups due to ongoing hostilities.

In Kordofan, active fighting disrupted key roads between Al Obeid and Kadugli (South Kordofan), and between Al Obeid and Al Fula (West Kordofan). Humanitarian efforts were further hampered by a decision by South Kordofan authorities to suspend the operations of 30 national NGOs and three international NGOs.

Recent drone strikes on power infrastructure in River Nile and Northern States resulted in nationwide power outages and civilian casualties. Airports in conflict-affected areas such as Al Fasher and Nyala remained closed for humanitarian and civilian use. With the rainy season approaching, there are growing concerns that flooding could sever critical supply routes, further isolating vulnerable communities and disrupting life-saving assistance.

Only a limited number of border crossings — such as Adre and Tine with Chad, and Renk with South Sudan — remain authorized for humanitarian cargo, subject to required notifications and permits. Others remain inaccessible or operationally challenging.

The backlog of visa approvals surged in April, with pending cases rising to 299 from 145 in March. The increase affected both UN and INGO staff, with INGOs accounting for the majority. The persistently low approval rate and growing backlog signal a marked deterioration in visa processing compared to previous months.

Despite these challenges, humanitarian agencies continue delivering aid wherever possible. Efforts are underway to pre-position food and essential supplies in Darfur ahead of the rains. On 29 April, an inter-agency convoy led by the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator crossed from Adre to Ag Geneina and onwards to Tawila, to support people newly displaced from Zamzam and Al Fasher.