Sudan’s lost sea access worsens humanitarian disaster

The beach, Red Sea State, Port Sudan, Sudan.
The beach, Red Sea State, Port Sudan, Sudan.
Eric Lafforgue / Hans Lucas via Reuters Connect

Since fighting between rival military factions in Sudan erupted last April, nearly 8 million people have been displaced, and 24 million require urgent food aid. But the crisis now may begin to beggar description as the country loses access to its Red Sea coast and migrants stream across its borders.

Refugee influx. Over 400,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to Libya, where they face long waits for registration, leading many to turn to smugglers to attempt dangerous Europe-bound sea crossings. Their first destination is Italy, with nearly 6,000 Sudanese refugees arriving there in 2023.

Numbers are expected to soar this year, prompting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to urge support for investments designed to disincentivize migration. Meloni unveiled a plan last month to enhance energy cooperation with African states and assist them in areas including health and education, at a cost of 3 million euros annually for four years.

Impact of Houthi attacks. Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have cut off Sudanese ports and are disrupting aid shipments, forcing humanitarian agencies to reroute deliveries at significantly higher costs. Some shipments are delayed, others are stuck altogether, and still more face exorbitant air-freight costs. Aid workers describe the situation as "catastrophic" and fear mass starvation is imminent.

More from GZERO Media

President Donald Trump signs an executive order to start the elimination of the Department of Education on March 20, 2025.
Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto via Reuters

As President Donald Trump nears the end of his first 100 days, a milestone he’ll hit on April 30,he has already shattered records with 124 executive orders — more than any other president. But he has signed just five new bills into law, a historic low, and many of his EOs are facing legal challenges. Trump’s controversial executive orders have grabbed plenty of headlines, but what about the less-contentious ones? We know it’s a lot to keep up with, so here are a few you may have missed:

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to the media at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll event in Washington, D.C., USA, on April 21, 2025.
REUTERS/Leah Millis

Ever since US President Donald Trump nominated Pete Hegseth as Defense secretary, the former Fox News host has been in the hot seat. He is in hot water again after it emerged that he shared war plans in a second Signal chat.

- YouTube

Ian Bremmer's Quick Take: The Trump administration wants to decide who teaches and what gets taught at Harvard. What could possibly go wrong? Ian Bremmer talks with Harvard Kennedy School professor Stephen Walt about what’s at stake on Quick Take.

US banknotes photographed in Fuyang City, Anhui Province, China on April 21, 2025.
CFOTO/Sipa USA

His top economic adviser is the author of a plan to use US financial and military power to weaken the dollar. Can it work?

Nuns and faithful attend a rosary for Pope Francis, following the death of the pontiff, in St. Peter's square, at the Vatican, April 21, 2025.
REUTERS/Susana Vera TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Preparations for the funeral of Pope Francis are underway after the Holy Father died from a cerebral stroke early Monday – as are those for the secretive election to choose his successor.