Over the past four months, the conflict in Sudan resulted in the displacement of at least two million children from their homes, equating to an average of over 700 newly displaced children every hour.
With ongoing violence affecting the nation, over 1.7 million children are currently moving within Sudan’s borders, while more than 470,000 have crossed into neighbouring countries.
Mandeep O’Brien, UNICEF Country Representative in Sudan, emphasized the critical nature of the situation, stating, “With over two million children displaced by the conflict in such a short span, and numerous others trapped in its relentless grip, the urgency of our collective response cannot be overstated. We’re hearing unimaginable accounts from children and families, some of whom have lost everything and witnessed their loved ones pass away right before their eyes. We’ve said it before, and we reiterate it: peace is imperative now for the survival of these children.”
Nearly 14 million children require immediate humanitarian assistance, with many confronting threats and distressing encounters daily. Beyond conflict-affected regions like Darfur and Khartoum, the intense hostilities have extended to other densely populated zones, such as South and West Kordofan.
This has hindered the delivery and accessibility of crucial lifesaving services to those in dire need.
As the rainy season begins, numerous homes have been devastated by floods, leading to additional families leaving their regions. Furthermore, the potential for disease outbreaks, including cholera, dengue, Rift Valley Fever, and chikungunya, escalates significantly during this rainy period.
Currently, over 9.4 million children in Sudan lack access to safe drinking water, and 3.4 million children under the age of 5 face a heightened risk of contracting diarrhoea diseases and cholera.
During the past four months, UNICEF delivered essential services, including health, nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), education, and protection, to more than 4 million children and families throughout Sudan. In the forthcoming 100 days, UNICEF requires immediate funding of $400 million to uphold and expand its crisis response.