31-10-2025 | di COOPI

Sudan: COOPI’s commitment and appeal to support the population fleeing violence

In recent days, the city of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur in Sudan, was captured by the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after more than 500 days of siege. El-Fasher was the last city in North Darfur controlled by the regular army (SAF), and more than 260,000 civilians were trapped there in precarious conditions, with limited access to food and water.

COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale, which has been operating in Sudan and North Darfur since 2004, had continued to work in the city, carrying out the daily distribution of drinking water—essential for survival, disease prevention, and the maintenance of hygienic conditions.

Chiara Zaccone, COOPI’s Head of Mission in Sudan, stated:

“El-Fasher was under siege for more than 500 days; it was extremely difficult to deliver humanitarian aid, and food, medicine, and basic necessities were lacking. The situation worsened over the weekend of October 25–26, when the rebels entered the city. For two days, communications were impossible. Only later did reports emerge of violence against civilians, which we hope will soon come to an end. COOPI continues its humanitarian assistance efforts, monitoring population displacements, assessing primary needs, and providing psychosocial support to victims.”

The conflict in Sudan is causing one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally, with over 30 million people—about half the population—needing humanitarian assistance, according to the United Nations. The World Food Programme has estimated that more than 24 million people are facing acute food insecurity.

Following yet another escalation of violence, the international non-governmental organizations operating in Sudan and gathered under the Sudan INGO Forum, of which COOPI is a member, have reiterated the need to protect civilians and humanitarian workers through a joint appeal. The appeal is addressed to the international community—including the United Nations Security Council, regional bodies, donor governments, and humanitarian actors—and calls for increased funding for humanitarian projects in Sudan, diplomatic pressure to ensure compliance with international law, and support for the establishment of humanitarian corridors.

COOPI has been operating in Sudan since 2004 and has implemented 129 projects benefiting 4.5 million people. Through a multisectoral and integrated approach, COOPI has expanded access to basic services over the years, carrying out interventions in protection, food security and livelihoods, water and hygiene, and disaster risk reduction in the states of North Darfur, Kassala, Gedaref, and Khartoum. Its operational base is located in Port Sudan.