For the first time since the outbreak of Sudan’s war on April 15, 2023, a humanitarian aid convoy has reached Khartoum, delivering critical relief to the embattled city.
Organized by the UN and various aid organizations, the convoy included 22 trucks from the World Food Programme (WFP) carrying 750 tonnes of food, five trucks from UNICEF with medical supplies, and one truck each from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and CARE. According to the Khartoum Emergency Room, 28 out of 34 trucks successfully arrived, with some delays reported along the route.
Calling the delivery “a dream coming true,” the emergency room highlighted the joy and relief felt by residents across Khartoum, particularly in Jebel Aulia and surrounding areas.
Coordinated Efforts for Safe Delivery
Mohamed Kandasha, spokesperson for the Southern Belt Emergency Room, confirmed that 26 trucks reached the area after coordination between local emergency groups, the WFP, and the Nidaa organization.
He credited both the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) for ensuring the convoy’s safe passage through their respective territories.
The SAF announced that it facilitated the aid convoy’s movement through areas under its control, with supplies designated for distribution in southern Khartoum neighborhoods such as Mayo and Ingaz.
The RSF, meanwhile, praised the efforts of its affiliated Sudanese Agency for Relief and Humanitarian Operations (SARHO) and its civilian administration in securing the convoy’s arrival. It also announced plans for an additional 54 trucks to deliver aid in the coming days.
Escalating Malnutrition Crisis
Despite the successful delivery, Kandasha warned of worsening malnutrition, stating that one in four children seeking treatment in the area suffers from severe malnutrition. This underscores the urgent need for sustained humanitarian assistance to combat the growing crisis.
The arrival of the convoy marks a pivotal moment in relief efforts, offering a glimmer of hope to those caught in Sudan’s devastating conflict.
