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Port Sudan, Red Sea State, Sudan / Istanbul, Türkiye – February 21, 2026 – The Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay) organized a communal iftar – the fast-breaking meal at sunset during Ramadan – for 1,000 displaced individuals in the eastern Sudanese city of Port Sudan on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The event took place at a camp sheltering families uprooted by the protracted conflict in Sudan, underscoring Türkiye's continued humanitarian engagement in one of the world's most severe displacement crises.
The iftar gathering was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Khartoum, Fatih Yıldız, members of the Turkish Embassy staff, Sudanese Red Crescent Secretary-General Ahmed Al-Tayyib Suleiman, representatives from various international aid organizations active in Sudan, and personnel from the Turkish Red Crescent’s local delegation. The program aimed to provide not only nourishment but also a moment of communal solidarity during the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims worldwide observe daily fasting from dawn to dusk.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ambassador Yıldız highlighted the broader scope of Türkiye's aid efforts in Sudan. He explained that humanitarian supplies donated by the Turkish government and citizens arrived in Port Sudan via four large cargo ships in December 2025 and January 2026, coordinated by Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD). These shipments included food items, hygiene kits, and other essential materials. Distribution of these supplies remains ongoing in coordination with local partners.
As part of its Ramadan-specific initiatives, the Turkish Red Crescent plans to extend iftar meals to a total of 20,000 displaced people across five Sudanese states. In addition to daily meals, the organization intends to distribute food parcels to vulnerable families and provide new clothing for children ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan. Yıldız emphasized that these efforts extend beyond governmental channels, noting that more than 20 Turkish non-governmental organizations are actively conducting on-the-ground aid activities in Sudan. These include further iftar distributions, food parcel deliveries, cash assistance programs, and Eid clothing initiatives throughout the month.
“The humanitarian assistance of the Turkish people in Sudan is not limited to state efforts,” Yıldız stated. He underscored the deep historical and cultural bonds between the Turkish and Sudanese peoples, which he said have been reinforced through such acts of solidarity at a critical time when Sudanese communities face immense hardship. “We remain committed to maintaining relations based on mutual respect and support,” he added.
Cesur Dervisoglu, head of the Turkish Red Crescent’s Sudan delegation, affirmed that aid operations persist despite the challenging security environment created by the ongoing conflict. Working closely with the Sudanese Red Crescent, the team provided iftar for 1,000 people in Port Sudan and is set to distribute 7,500 food parcels and 2,800 sets of Eid clothing to those in need.
The initiative occurs against the backdrop of Sudan's devastating civil war, which erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has triggered the world's largest displacement crisis, with over 13 million people forced from their homes—approximately 9.3 million internally displaced and 4.3 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries. Port Sudan, the capital of Red Sea State and a key humanitarian hub since much of the central government apparatus relocated there early in the war, has become a major shelter for displaced populations fleeing violence in Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan, and other regions.
Humanitarian conditions in displacement camps remain dire, marked by acute shortages of food, clean water, shelter, medical care, and sanitation. The United Nations and partners launched a $1.6 billion appeal in February 2026 under the Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan to assist millions affected across seven host countries, highlighting the scale of the emergency as the war nears its fourth year.
Türkiye has maintained a consistent presence in Sudan’s humanitarian response, delivering substantial aid shipments and supporting local coordination. Earlier efforts included 100 tons of food and essentials distributed in late 2025, reaching thousands of families in camps across Northern State, River Nile State, and elsewhere. The Ramadan-focused activities build on these foundations, aiming to alleviate immediate suffering while fostering long-term community resilience.
Observers note that such gestures of solidarity during Ramadan carry added significance in Muslim-majority Sudan, where communal meals and charitable giving are central to the month’s spiritual observance. The Turkish Red Crescent’s program not only addresses nutritional needs but also promotes hope and connection amid widespread trauma.
As Ramadan continues, the Turkish Red Crescent and its partners plan to scale up distributions, with a focus on reaching isolated and hard-to-access areas. The organization has reiterated its commitment to sustaining operations throughout the conflict, in close collaboration with Sudanese authorities and international bodies.
