The first Red Cross flight departs from Jeddah to support the humanitarian response in Sudan.

16 May 2026 (PEN) The first flights of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) departed from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, in partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with the aim of facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Sudan and accelerating the movement of relief teams, in response to the growing needs there.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, this step reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the Sudanese people and alleviating their suffering by providing logistical and operational facilities that enable humanitarian organizations to reach those affected quickly and effectively.

In this context, the Kingdom agreed with the International Committee of the Red Cross to adopt Jeddah Airport as the headquarters for launching its humanitarian operations, confirming its pivotal role in supporting relief work regionally and internationally.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has been working in Sudan since 1978, in cooperation with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, and its activities focus on supporting health services and water infrastructure, restoring family links, and promoting respect for international humanitarian law.