Sudan Extends Adre Border Crossing with Chad for Humanitarian Aid
In a significant move to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, the Sovereignty Council has announced the extension of the Adre border crossing with Chad for an additional three months. This decision, welcomed by the United Nations, is crucial for delivering essential food and supplies to famine-stricken areas, particularly in Darfur and Kordofan. The announcement came following a recommendation from the second humanitarian response forum, which included participation from UN agencies and national organizations.
The Adre crossing, which had been closed by the military-controlled government in February, was reopened in August for a three-month period. With over 25 million people in Sudan facing acute hunger, the crossing has become a vital lifeline for many. Despite some government members expressing concerns that the crossing could be exploited by the Rapid Support Forces for arms, the UN emphasized the necessity of this route for humanitarian aid distribution. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed the importance of facilitating aid through Adre during a recent meeting with Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan at the UN Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan.
Since the reopening, over 300 aid trucks have successfully crossed into Sudan, providing support for more than 1.3 million individuals. The World Food Programme has also reported moving convoys through Adre, delivering food and nutrition supplies to those in desperate need, including the Zam Zam camp, which is facing severe famine conditions.
