CAIRO, Egypt — On Wednesday, Sudan’s military-led government announced that a significant border crossing with Chad will remain operational to facilitate the crucial delivery of humanitarian aid to the severely affected Darfur region.

The ruling Sovereign Council of Sudan shared this decision after discussions with both local and international aid organizations along with United Nations agencies.

Initially shut down earlier this year, the Adre crossing was reopened in August for a temporary period of three months to help mitigate the dire humanitarian crisis in Darfur. The Zamzam displacement camp, located near al-Fasher, the capital of West Darfur, has already reported confirmed cases of famine.

The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023, with violence erupting between the national military and the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces. Experts from the Famine Review Committee have alarmingly predicted that over 25 million people, accounting for more than half of Sudan’s population, are on the verge of experiencing severe hunger this year.

Furthermore, this ongoing war has resulted in what is now regarded as the largest displacement crisis globally, with more than 14 million individuals having been forced to abandon their homes.

The Adre border crossing serves as a crucial lifeline. In the past three months alone, over 300 aid trucks have successfully crossed into Sudan, providing support to more than 1 million individuals seeking assistance.

Aid organizations expressed their gratitude for the extension of the crossing’s operational status and called on all involved parties to refrain from hindering the delivery of humanitarian aid.

“This decision, if maintained and complemented with streamlined processes, could provide vital support for the 5.3 million children and families facing starvation,” stated Mathilde Vu, the advocacy manager for the Norwegian Refugee Council in Sudan. She emphasized that the international community should take advantage of this opportunity to enhance funding and expedite their response efforts.