Türkiye has initiated a major humanitarian operation to assist Sudan’s growing shelter crisis, dispatching the first batch of 30,000 emergency tents prepared under the coordination of the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

The shipment—carried by the vessel Nz Ningbo—was sent off from Mersin International Port during an official ceremony attended by local and international representatives.

The initiative forms part of Türkiye’s broader humanitarian support to Sudan, which has been struggling with severe internal conflict, mass displacement, and worsening living conditions. The first group of 10,080 tents will arrive in Port Sudan, while the remaining tents are expected to be transported on two additional vessels in the coming days.

Speaking at the send-off ceremony, AFAD President Ali Hamza Pehlivan emphasized that Sudan is facing one of the most acute shelter shortages in recent years. He noted that AFAD, acting under Türkiye’s humanitarian directives, accelerated efforts after identifying severe gaps in shelter capacity across conflict-affected regions.

“We have prepared a total of 30,000 tents. Today, we are dispatching 10,080 of them. In previous months, we also sent humanitarian cargo ships delivering 5,500 tons of aid and provided fire response equipment after the Port Sudan fire,” Pehlivan said, underscoring Türkiye’s sustained commitment to vulnerable communities.

The ceremony also included the participation of Mersin Governor Atilla Toros, representatives of Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and IOM Sudan Mission Chief Mohamed Refaat, who highlighted the scale of Sudan’s humanitarian emergency.

Refaat stated that Sudan is currently experiencing one of the world’s largest displacement crises, with millions forced from their homes and struggling to survive in overcrowded, fragile conditions.

“Families lack protection from rain, heat and violence. Safe shelter is their most urgent need. We sincerely appreciate Türkiye’s unwavering humanitarian leadership and this significant in-kind contribution,” he said.

According to AFAD, the operation is being carried out in close coordination with the Turkish Embassy in Sudan and relevant UN agencies to ensure the swift and effective distribution of tents to areas with the most critical shelter needs.

Türkiye has previously provided Sudan with food, medicine, hygiene kits and various shelter materials. AFAD teams also visited temporary settlement areas in recent months, delivering essential supplies directly to displaced families.

The newly dispatched tents are expected to play a critical role in alleviating the severe accommodation shortages across conflict-affected regions and strengthening ongoing humanitarian response efforts.

The ship will first dock in Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah Port, where the cargo will be transferred and then transported to Sudan. (ILKHA)