ICRC launches humanitarian flights from Jeddah to bolster Sudan aid response
May 14, 2026 (JEDDAH) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced on Thursday the commencement of humanitarian flight operations from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to enhance aid access to Sudan.
The move aims to strengthen the humanitarian response and facilitate the movement of ICRC staff amid growing needs across the country.
Aid organizations currently face significant hurdles in reaching conflict-affected populations as the crisis deepens and the scale of humanitarian requirements expands across several Sudanese states.
Adnan Hazam, a spokesperson for the ICRC, told Sudan Tribune that operating from Jeddah will accelerate the organization’s humanitarian response. He explained that the aircraft previously remained in Djibouti overnight before being repositioned to Jeddah.
Hazam added that launching flights from Jeddah will make operations more flexible and faster, ultimately ensuring that assistance reaches those in need more efficiently.
In a statement, the ICRC said Jeddah’s strategic location—roughly one hour’s flight from Port Sudan—will allow for the rapid and flexible deployment of humanitarian personnel both inside and outside Sudan.
Patrick Youssef, ICRC’s regional director for Africa, said in the statement that operating the aircraft from Jeddah “significantly enhances the ICRC’s ability to deploy its teams quickly and maintain a sustainable field presence near affected communities.” He emphasized that “every day counts” given the worsening humanitarian situation.
Youssef noted that the arrangement helps the ICRC continue providing protection services and essential aid to those most affected by the conflict. He expressed gratitude to both the Saudi Arabian authorities and the Sudanese government for facilitating the logistics.
The ICRC has operated in Sudan since 1978 in cooperation with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, focusing on health services, water infrastructure, family reunification, and the promotion of international humanitarian law.