The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has facilitated the transfer of more than 650 detainees in Sudan since the armed conflict began in April 2023. The organisation announced this through X, outlining its role as a neutral intermediary in the crisis.
ICRC Facilitates Detainee Transfers In Sudan
The ICRC through X, stated that it acts strictly as a neutral intermediary and only intervenes at the request of warning parties. It emphasised that it does not decide who is released and does not impose financial demands during such operations.
According to the ICRC, its mandate focuses on ensuring that detainee transfers take place in a safe, dignified, and humane manner. The organisation added that all activities remain unconditional and guided by humanitarian principles.
“We act only upon request from the parties to the conflict, based on our humanitarian mandate,” the ICRC said in the X post. “Our goal is to ensure safe, dignified, and humane operations.”
The update comes as the conflict in Sudan continues to drive large-scale displacement and humanitarian need across multiple regions. Since April 2023, violence has disrupted essential services and left many families seperated from detained relatives.
In this context, detainee transfers form part of broader efforts to reduce harm to civilians affected by the fighting. Similar humanitarian concerns have previously been reported by Charity Journal in its coverage of Sudanede charities seeking international aid amid worsening conditions.
ICRC’s Broader Humanitarian Operations In Sudan And Neighbouring Countries
Beyond detainee-related activities, the ICRC continues to operate one of its largest African missions in Sudan. The organisation has maintained a presence in the country since 1978, supporting people affected by conflict and promoting international humanitarian law.
The ICRC works independently and in cooperation with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society to support hospitals, water systems, and rehabilitation services. It also provides emergency assistance to displaced people and helps families seperated by violence maintain contact.
In neighbouring South Sudan, the effects of the Sudan Conflict have added pressure to already fragile health systems. In 2025, nearly 1,000 weapon-wounded patients received treatment at ICRC-supported hospitals, marking the highest level recorded in eight years.
Escalatinng violence has led to an increase in patients suffering gunshot and blast injuries, particularly in remote areas. Many arrive at medical facilities after long delays, which significantly reduces their chances of survival.
“Saving lives and limbs remains the immediate priority,” said Slobodan Miroslavljev, an ICRC surgeon working in South Sudan. “Once that is achieved, the focus shifts to long-term recovery and rehabilitation.”
The ICRC reported that nearly 400 patients in 2025 required air transfers from remote locations to access surgical care. These evacuations enabled medical teams to deliver treatment that would otherwise remain inaccessible.
Over the past eight years, ICRC surgical teams have performed more than 25,000 operations on about 5,000 people wounded by weapons. For many patients, surgery represents only the first step in a lengthy recovery process.
In parallel, physical rehabilitation services have expanded across the region. In 2025, more than 3,700 people received rehabilitation support at ICRC-backed centres, the highest figure recorded in a decade.
The organisation attributes part of this increase to cross-border displacement linked to the Sudan conflict. Refugees and returnees from Sudan continue to seek assistance in neighbouring countries.
These developments reflect the wider humanitarian strain caused by ongoing hostilities in Sudan. Charity Journal has also reported on related international responses, including the ICRC’s efforts to reinforce rules for civilian protection in armed conflict settings.
