U.N. says aid mission reaches displaced in Sudan’s North Darfur via Chad

May 9, 2025 (NEW YORK) – United Nations humanitarian teams have completed a vital cross-border aid mission from Chad to Tawila in Sudan’s North Darfur state, reaching people displaced by recent attacks, a U.N. spokesperson said on Friday.

The mission delivered assistance to people who had fled attacks in Zamzam camp and sought shelter in Tawila, U.N. Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters. He said the operation utilized the Adre crossing from Chad, which U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, described as “a lifeline for the flow of humanitarian supplies and personnel into Darfur.”

Fletcher stressed that humanitarian needs in the area are “massive” and called for safe, sustained access, Haq added.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has provided food and nutrition supplies in Tawila, supporting more than 300,000 people who fled Zamzam and El Fasher amid “overwhelming needs,” according to the spokesperson. More aid is expected to arrive in the coming week.

“Non-governmental partners have been on the ground responding, despite limited resources and the volatile operating environment,” Haq said. “We call once again on all parties to facilitate safe, unhindered and sustained access to the area, via all necessary routes.”

The U.N. also highlighted an urgent need for increased and flexible funding to sustain and expand life-saving support for people in North Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan.