Sudan’s Civil War Displaces an Estimated Five Million Children. Kassala State, Sudan — An estimated five million children have been displaced by Sudan’s ongoing civil war, according to UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, who visited a boys’school in Kassala State to highlight the crisis.
The war, which erupted in April 2023, has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with more than 10 million people displaced, half of whom are children.
During her visit, Russell emphasized the urgency of safeguarding children and ensuring essential services.
The conflict, which broke out after a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life. More than 150,000 people are believed to have died, and the situation in the Darfur region, particularly in the city of el-Fasher, is of particular concern.
UNICEF reports that over 30 million people require humanitarian assistance.
Children in besieged and hard — to-reach areas, such as Darfur and Kordofan regions, are particularly vulnerable, with limited access to food, water, and medical supplies. Recent attacks have also targeted educational facilities, including a kindergarten in South Kordofan that was hit on December 8th, resulting in the deaths of at least 63 children.
Women and girls are bearing the brunt of the crisis, with reports of high levels of sexual violence.
Russell met with women and adolescent girls receiving psychosocial support and skills training at a UNICEF — supported center in Kassala. Many of these women and girls have fled violence and found safety and care at the center, but similar services are scarce in Darfur and Kordofan states due to ongoing insecurity.
In addition to providing immediate relief, UNICEF is working to identify and reunite unaccompanied and separated children.
In North Darfur, over 200 reunifications have been facilitated.
The organization is also providing child protection, psychological care, training, and cash assistance to survivors, as well as restoring safe water and medical clinics.
Russell called for an immediate end to the violence and for all parties to uphold international humanitarian law. “Ensuring the safety and dignity of every child and civilian is paramount, “she stated.
The situation in Sudan remains critical, with the risk of famine spreading in Darfur and Kordofan regions. Families attempting to flee the conflict face dangerous routes, and those who reach safer areas often arrive severely malnourished and distressed. Further details are expected as the situation continues to evolve.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
