EU Opens Humanitarian “Air Bridge” to Darfur
The European Union has begun an emergency humanitarian airlift to Sudan’s Darfur region as the humanitarian situation rapidly deteriorates amid ongoing conflict.
According to the European Commission, the operation includes eight cargo flights delivering approximately €3.5 million worth of life-saving supplies to western Sudan. The initiative is designed to reach communities trapped by violence, starvation, and mass displacement in one of the world’s most inaccessible aid zones.
What the Aid Flights Are Delivering
The air bridge will transport around 100 tonnes of humanitarian assistance, sourced from EU emergency reserves and partner organizations. Supplies include:
- Clean water and sanitation equipment
- Emergency shelter materials
- Health and hygiene kits
- Basic medical supplies
The EU confirmed that additional flights will continue through January, underlining the urgency of the crisis.
Fall of el-Fasher Worsens an Already Catastrophic Situation
The EU said the capture of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) marked a dangerous escalation in the conflict.
The city fell after an 18-month siege that cut off food, medicine, and humanitarian access. More than 100,000 civilians fled, many seeking refuge in Tawila, which has now become the centre of Darfur’s growing humanitarian emergency.
Survivors have reported mass killings, kidnappings, and widespread sexual violence during the takeover. The United Nations has accused the RSF of committing some of the most serious crimes under international law.
Conflict Expands Beyond Darfur
Since seizing el-Fasher, RSF forces have pushed eastward into the Kordofan region, threatening towns such as Kadugli, Dilling, and el-Obeid. These areas lie along a strategic corridor connecting Darfur to Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.
The UN has warned that Kordofan could witness a repeat of the atrocities seen in Darfur, as fighting intensifies and civilian protection collapses.
Sudan Effectively Split in Two
With the RSF now controlling all major cities in Darfur, Sudan has become de facto divided:
- The Sudanese army controls central, eastern, and northern regions
- The RSF and allied groups dominate the west and parts of the south
This fragmentation has further complicated peace efforts and humanitarian access.
Why the EU Response Matters
The EU’s air bridge highlights growing international concern that millions of Sudanese civilians face famine, disease, and violence if aid access continues to shrink. Humanitarian agencies warn that without sustained international action, the crisis could spiral into one of the worst disasters of the decade.