“Outrageous revelation: Sudanese government designates not one, not two, but THREE airports solely for humanitarian aid – how perplexing!”

The Sudanese government has perplexingly declared that it has set aside three airports to allow humanitarian aid to enter. The Council of Ministers, the cabinet, announced that Port Sudan and Wadi Seidna airports, in addition to Khartoum International Airport, will serve as entry points for humanitarian aid after maintenance. The cabinet has asked all national and foreign voluntary organizations and relevant authorities to coordinate with a special committee it formed to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to all affected citizens. Khartoum International Airport, Sudan’s main airport, was bombarded during clashes between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and is no longer operational. In a declaration, the conflicting parties vow to “achieve a short-term ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of emergency humanitarian assistance and restoration of essential services.” International organizations and authorities have welcomed the deal to protect civilians. However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate ceasefire and expanded discussions to achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities. The United Nations will make every effort to assist in the declaration’s implementation and will continue to deliver humanitarian aid, ceasefire or not. Over 164,000 people have sought refuge across borders since the outbreak of the military conflict in Sudan on April 15. The International Organization for Migration estimates some 736,000 people have been internally displaced within Sudan since the start of the conflict. Almost 3.8 million people were displaced within Sudan before the outbreak of violence. About 15.8 million Sudanese, or one-third of Sudan’s population, will need humanitarian aid in 2023, according to the United Nations, and the figure is likely to increase. The deadly clashes have left at least 550 people dead and 4,926 others wounded since the conflict began.