Sudan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (March 2025)

In March, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) regained control of large parts of Khartoum, including the Presidential Palace, the airport and key government buildings. The clashes over control of the capital city damaged critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges and health-care facilities. Partners have reported ongoing access challenges, particularly in western Khartoum, though overall humanitarian access in the city is expected to improve in the coming weeks.

Al Fasher, the state capital of North Darfur, and Zamzam displacement camp remain under siege, facing near-daily shelling that is affecting essential services — especially water supply — with the situation expected to worsen All dieselpowered infrastructure, including boreholes, has been shut down, leaving only solar-powered systems operational.

In Kordofan, all main roads leading to Kadugli in South Kordofan and Al Fula in West Kordofan remain inaccessible, with civilian movement severely restricted due to the high risk of looting and violence.

NGOs reported a surge in criminal activity by local armed elements in and around Nyala, state capital of South Darfur. On 26 March, an INGO vehicle was carjacked at the Derej IDP camp, where the driver was threatened at gunpoint but managed to escape. Other incidents included the looting of local NGO offices, where armed individuals stole valuable assets, nutrition supplies and a Starlink device.

Attacks on aid workers continue unabated, and the arbitrary detention of humanitarian personnel in Darfur remains a serious concern. In Ad Du’ayn, East Darfur, a local doctor was abducted by an unidentified armed group, with a $25,000 ransom demanded. In Nyala, an attempted abduction of a national staff member from an INGO was also reported. Meanwhile, another INGO staff member remained detained by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Zalingei for over two weeks, with efforts to ensure their release proving unsuccessful during the reporting period.

During March, securing entry visas for humanitarian personnel has been increasingly challenging. According to a regular survey of UN agencies and INGOs, only 23 visas (about 16 per cent of the total 145 visa applications) were issued at the end of March 2025. This represents a sharp decrease from previous months.

Partners continue to use the Adre and Tina border crossing points on the Chadian border for delivery of humanitarian assistance across Sudan. In March, 156 trucks carrying 5,632 metric tons (MT) of humanitarian supplies crossed through Adre, while 146 trucks transporting 4,116 MT of aid were recorded for crossline movements within Sudan.