Sudan: Humanitarian Access Snapshot (July 2025)

HIGHLIGHTS

In July 2025, humanitarian access across Sudan faced increasing challenges related to active fighting, insecurity, bureaucratic and administrative impediments, and deteriorating road conditions. Nonetheless, engagement with stakeholders was maintained, with cross-border operations continuing.

Al Fasher, the state capital of North Darfur, witnessed relentless fighting and near-daily shelling, making it a critical flashpoint in the conflict. The violence displaced thousands to already overstretched surrounding areas. The insecurity also severely restricted humanitarian access, making it increasingly difficult to deliver life-saving assistance. With reported shortages of food, water and medical supplies mounting, the situation in Al Fasher edged dangerously close to a fullscale humanitarian catastrophe.

Fighting is also ongoing in the Kordofan region around the An Nuhud–Al Khiwal–Umm Sumeima and Abu Zabad–Al Obeid routes, highlighting the growing complexity of ensuring safe humanitarian access.

Access in North Darfur, Greater Kordofan and the Nuba Mountains remains highly constrained. Insecurity has resulted in civilian casualties and hindered humanitarian missions. Bureaucratic access impediments — such as inconsistent travel permits and the introduction of new requirements — continue to undermine life-saving assistance and affect response planning.

Partners report a lack of clear procedural directives, resulting in the unpredictable approval of permits. Flooding and damaged infrastructure during the rainy season have compounded access constraints, leaving many rural roads impassable and delaying supply convoys to areas hardest hit by conflict.

Access outside active conflict zones, such as Red Sea, Kassala and Gedaref states, remains relatively easier, although rising numbers of internally displaced people have significantly increased humanitarian needs.

Despite these constraints, humanitarian actors continue sustained operationallevel engagement with Sudanese authorities, including the Humanitarian Aid Commission and government officials, to resolve disputes and obtain clearances.

High-level advocacy with government authorities on visa policies, and continuous negotiations over travel permissions for UN staff in Darfur, demonstrate the ongoing effort to keep critical corridors open. In July, cross-border movements continued via Adre and Tine: 355 trucks transported 12,214 tons of aid, predominantly through Adre, delivering emergency relief.

Visa data for July, based on partners’ inputs, shows a considerable improvement in approvals for the UN compared to June. The approval rate for UN visas rose to 65 per cent in July, up from 28 per cent in June. In contrast, the approval rate for International NGOs slightly decreased, from 38 per cent in June to 36 per cent in July.