The United Nations World Food Programme has begun direct aid flights from Italy to the western Sudanese region of Darfur.
An estimated one million people have been affected by the conflict in the region.
The aircraft carrying generators and water purification equipment has left the southern port of Brindisi, and is due to refuel in Libya before travelling on to Darfur.
Two Hercules aircraft will be making the flights, which are expected to last most of this month.
Thousands protest in Khartoum
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people have marched through the Sudanese capital Khartoum in protest against any foreign intervention in Darfur.
Muslim protesters said they were prepared to die in a jihad against any foreign troops entering the country.
The UN has demanded Sudan take action over what has been called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
The African Union has indicated it may increase the number of troops deployed to the Darfur region. The number of troops would increase from 300 to 2,000, subject to approval from African Union members.
A spokesman for the organisation said Nigeria and Rwanda were prepared to send 1,000 troops each.
Earlier, the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said he believed the Sudanese government had got the message that it must comply with international demands to end the violence in Darfur.
Mr Annan said it appeared the authorities in Khartoum realised there would be consequences if they did not comply with a Security Council resolution.
The resolution demands the disarming and prosecution of pro-government militias in the region.
