The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has commenced operations of its RED aircraft from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to enhance humanitarian access and support efforts in Sudan. This move aims to improve the rapid deployment of humanitarian personnel responding to escalating needs resulting from ongoing conflict in the African country.

Jeddah’s proximity—approximately one hour’s flight from Port Sudan—offers a strategic advantage as an operational hub. This location allows the ICRC to move staff into, out of, and within Sudan with increased speed and flexibility, a critical factor in sustaining and scaling up humanitarian interventions amid a rapidly evolving crisis.

Patrick Youssef, the ICRC’s regional director for Africa, emphasized the importance of timely responses in this context, noting that operating from Jeddah will bolster the organization’s capacity to maintain a continuous presence near affected communities and deliver essential services efficiently. Youssef also acknowledged the cooperation of Saudi Arabian and Sudanese authorities in facilitating this arrangement, which enhances humanitarian reach and effectiveness.

Since 1978, the ICRC has maintained a presence in Sudan, collaborating closely with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society to protect and assist populations impacted by conflict and violence. The committee’s ongoing work includes supporting health facilities and water infrastructure, restoring family connections, and promoting adherence to international humanitarian law.

This operational shift underscores the ICRC’s commitment to adapting logistics and resources to meet urgent humanitarian demands and respond to the complex challenges on the ground in Sudan.