Türkiye donates record 30,000 tents for Sudan’s displaced via IOM

Türkiye has delivered a landmark humanitarian contribution to Sudan, providing 30,000 family tents to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to aid millions displaced by the country's ongoing conflict. The UN agency described it on Tuesday as "the largest in-kind shelter" donation it has ever received for Sudan, a critical intervention amid one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies.

Addressing a dire and underfunded shelter crisis

The donation arrives as approximately 11.6 million people in Sudan urgently require shelter assistance, yet only 9.4% of the funding needed under the Humanitarian Response Plan has been secured. Millions of displaced families are living in overcrowded or makeshift sites, exposed to harsh weather, disease, and insecurity. IOM Director General Amy Pope stated the contribution is "both timely and deeply appreciated," as it will allow the agency to expand its response and reach families who have "lost nearly everything."

Catalyzed by a visit revealing 'almost empty warehouses'

The significant shipment was accelerated following Pope's recent visit to Sudan, where she warned of an "almost empty warehouse," highlighting the critical shortage of shelter supplies. Her visit spurred intensified cooperation between IOM and Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), leading to the rapid mobilization and delivery of the tents. This swift action demonstrates a direct response to on-the-ground assessments of acute need.

Aiming for hard-to-reach areas amid access challenges

Despite severe access constraints, particularly in conflict-ravaged regions like Darfur and Kordofan, IOM stated the donation will help reach families in some of the hardest-to-serve areas. The agency emphasized that while this contribution is substantial, continued and increased international support remains essential to provide displaced populations with the basic protection and dignity they urgently need to survive and begin rebuilding their lives.