Sudan - Meeting Minutes - Port Sudan and Khartoum, 16 June 2026

Content

OCHA Access Update

• The OCHA Access Unit gave an update on humanitarian access in Sudan.
• The first major deliveries to Dilling and Kadugli since mid-February have taken place; however, increased insecurity in the Kordofan region is affecting movements.
• Damage to the Ardamata bridge in West Darfur poses risks to cross-border supply routes and may disrupt access during the rainy season. Smaller vehicles are reportedly able to pass the bridge, with trucks passing via the dried riverbed.
• OCHA noted the updated Humanitarian Access Working Group (HAWG) membership. The co-chairs remain OCHA and the INGO Forum. The current rotation includes UN agencies (UNICEF, UNHCR, UNDSS, IOM), and NGO representatives.
• A one-pager on the Joint Operating Principles (JOPs) is available here.
• OCHA provided an update on access issues raised during the previous meeting, including delays in importation approvals and customs agreements, particularly linked to Ministry of Finance procedures, including field-level verification requirements, as well as challenges linked to the relocation of authorities to Khartoum.
• Questions were raised by partners regarding requirements for Ministry of Health approvals prior to customs clearance and whether field visits by authorities are mandatory. OCHA clarified that further engagement with relevant authorities is ongoing and official communication regarding field-level verification requirements exist and can be shared.

• Partners are encouraged to share written documentation and report access constraints through the Access Reporting Tool (ART). For support, contact ocha-sudanaccessreporting@un.org.

   

Fuel Savings and Monitoring Measures

• The LTC highlighted the increasing operational pressures associated with fuel shortages and rising costs. 
• The Global Logistics Cluster’s Environmental Sustainability team (WREC Coalition) delivered a presentation, highlighting rising fuel costs globally and within Sudan, and fuel efficiency and sustainability measures, including reducing energy demand, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and optimizing transport. WREC stands for Waste Management and Measuring, Reverse Logistics, Environmentally Sustainable Procurement and Transport, and Circular Economy.
• An infographic outlining six actions to save fuel, cut costs, and increase sustainability is available here, including eco-driving, ride-sharing, right vehicle selection, storage optimization, painting roofs white, and solarization of warehouses.
• The WREC Coalition noted that partners facing challenges with upfront investment for solarization may consider power purchase agreements or lease-to-own arrangements with solarization companies.
• FAO shared an example of deploying solar fridges for vaccination supply chains, resulting in reduced reliance on generators and fuel costs.
• A free-to-use energy assessment tool is available here, as well as an Energy Efficiency Tool for Facilities here.
• The WREC team highlighted an upcoming information session on fuel saving through sustainable supply chains planned for 30 June 2026. Partners can register here, with additional details available here.
• Partners can contact the WREC coalition at global.wrec@wfp.org for further information on fuel reduction measures, environmental sustainability in operations, or to share best practices.

Operational Updates | Logistics

Common Services

• The LTC reminded partners about the establishment of common storage services in El Obeid (500 m²), following the standard Service Request Form (SRF) process, in addition to existing facilities in Tawila, Ad Dabbah, Kosti, Gedaref, Kassala, and Port Sudan.
• Transport support is available to priority locations within Sudan. Increased demand has been observed for movements from Adre to Darfur - support is also available from Port Sudan and Ad Dabbah to Kosti and the Kordofan region. Transport support is not available within Chad, but from Chad into Darfur.
• Mobile storage units (MSUs) are available on loan basis, with stock available in Port Sudan and Tawila.
• Partners were reminded that storage is temporary in line with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and advance planning is required due to limited space.
• A partner inquired about the possibility of sharing Long-Term Agreements (LTAs) for transport services in Chad. It was noted that this is typically managed through OMT/procurement channels. Partners can get in touch bilaterally at sudan.logcluster@wfp.org for more information. 
• A partner inquired about the availability of temperature-controlled storage in Kosti. The LTC confirmed that temperature-controlled common storage capacity is not currently available outside Port Sudan. Plans are being explored to expand temperature-controlled storage to additional locations, subject to operational considerations and regulatory approvals. Partners are encouraged to share storage needs.
• For any questions related to common services and MSUs, contact sudan.clustercargo@wfp.org.

Convoys

• The LTC continues to support the coordination of convoy movements, led by WFP and partners, to priority locations in Darfur and Kordofan regions on a rolling basis, subject to security and access conditions. One movement is currently underway from Ad Dabbah to Tawila, Nyala, and Ag Geneina, with another planned from Kosti to Dilling and Kadugli.
• Partners are encouraged to express interest in advance and preposition cargo in key hubs, including Ad Dabbah and Kosti.
• For any questions related to convoy coordination, contact sudan.clustercargo@wfp.org.

Physical Access Constraints

• Partners were reminded of recent infrastructure damage which may impact supply movements during the upcoming rainy season:
  • Ardamata Bridge (West and Central Darfur): not currently passable for trucks; route remains accessible through dried riverbed; no other nearby alternative routes available.
  • Al Dalayb Bridge (South Kordofan); not passable; route remains accessible through dried riverbed; rehabilitation of the bridge is reportedly underway.
• Partners were encouraged to share real-time updates and report constraints through LogIE, email, WhatsApp, or any other channels.
• Partners can familiarize themselves with the LogIE tool using the recording of the most recent orientation session available here.

Cross-Border Procedures

• Updated snapshots outlining cross-border movement procedures have been published for both NGOs and UN agencies. It was noted that, for NGOs, notification to Chadian authorities is no longer facilitated through OCHA Chad, and organizations are required to obtain approvals directly from authorities. The snapshots will continue to be revised based on partner inputs.

   

Operational Updates | Telecommunications

• LTC continues to provide services, with expansion planned to additional locations, including Darfur. Delays in deployment were noted due to operational and access constraints.
• Challenges were highlighted regarding the use of Starlink connectivity. It was noted that unauthorized kits are being suspended when used outside their country of registration, affecting operations, including convoy movements. Partners were advised to consider enterprise-level or globally registered packages where feasible.
• Alternative connectivity solutions were discussed, including engagement with local service providers. However, these are primarily fixed installations and may not support mobile operations.
• Regulatory constraints continue to affect the use of certain communication technologies. The LTC is engaging authorities to clarify requirements and identify feasible solutions.
• The LTC highlighted critical funding constraints, noting that current operations are not secured beyond the short term. A transition towards a cost-recovery (on-demand) model for connectivity services is being explored.
• Updates were provided on security telecommunications, including planned expansion of services (e.g. Khartoum), subject to licensing approvals. Potential solutions discussed included the use of shared communication assets within convoy movements.
• Updates were also provided on Services for Communities (S4C), with ongoing and planned activities in Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan, including support to community centres through connectivity and energy solutions.

• For more information, contact sudan.etc@wfp.org. 

   

Any Other Business (AOB)

• Partners raised concerns regarding fuel availability, noting challenges accessing fuel despite available capacity and delays linked to approval processes. The LTC confirmed that the issue is being followed up by the WFP On-Demand Services (ODS) team and that updates will be shared. Partners raised questions regarding donor requirements and procurement processes, including requests for final invoices and related documentation. It was noted that these issues can be followed up on bilaterally.

The next Sudan Logistics and Telecommunications Cluster (LTC) Coordination Meeting will take place on Tuesday, 21 July 2026 at 2pm Sudan time / 1pm Chad time at the WFP Port Sudan Office and online.

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