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World – Children in Sudan are enduring horrific conditions as the country’s brutal civil war continues to devastate communities. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warned that the crisis has escalated into “the largest and the most devastating humanitarian crisis in the world.”
“With its economy and social services system and infrastructure in near collapse and no end to the conflict in sight, we estimate that nearly two-thirds of Sudan’s total population, more than 30 million people, will require humanitarian assistance this year.”
Russell reported that nearly 16 million children urgently need aid, facing famine, disease, and extreme violence.
“Famine is occurring in hotspots in at least five locations in Sudan, with an estimated 1.3 million children under five living in these areas.”
The collapse of Sudan’s healthcare system has put over three million children under five at risk of deadly diseases like cholera, malaria, and dengue. Meanwhile, “16.5 million school-aged children—nearly an entire generation—are out of school.”
“This is not just a crisis. It is a poly-crisis affecting every sector, from health and nutrition to water, education, and protection.”
Alarming Surge in Violence Against Children
The scale of violence against children is staggering. Between June and December 2024, over 900 grave violations were reported, with 80% involving children being killed or maimed.
In just two days in February, 21 children were killed, and 29 were maimed in shelling attacks in Kadugli, South Kordofan. Similar atrocities were reported in North Darfur and Khartoum.
“The widespread use of explosive weapons also continues to proliferate—with a devastating impact on children. These weapons will not disappear when the conflict ends.”
The war has left Sudan littered with deadly remnants. “Weapon contamination will continue to threaten children and all civilians, especially internally displaced people and those returning to their homes, their schools, and their communities. We estimate that 13 million civilians are at risk.”
Sexual violence has also escalated, with 12.1 million women, girls, and boys now at risk—an 80% increase from the previous year. In 2024 alone, 221 cases of rape against children were reported, including some victims under five.
“The data only gives us a glimpse into what we know is a far larger, more devastating crisis.”
Russell stated that many survivors do not come forward due to fear of stigma, lack of access to services, or risk of retribution. She emphasised that the trauma inflicted on these children will not simply disappear with a ceasefire. Long-term support for survivors is essential.
Malnutrition Crisis Deepens
Furthermore, the war has pushed malnutrition rates to catastrophic levels. Over 770,000 children are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year.
Many are in areas where humanitarian aid has been blocked, leaving them at even greater risk. The lack of food and medical care has plunged millions of children into a desperate struggle for survival.
“Despite these enormous challenges, UNICEF continues to respond wherever and however we can—delivering lifesaving supplies and services in conflict hotspots, supporting displaced people and host communities, and building resilience.”
“In 2024, UNICEF and our partners reached over 9.8 million children and families with safe drinking water. We screened 6.7 million children for malnutrition and provided lifesaving treatment to 422,000 severely malnourished children.”
But Russell made it clear that these efforts are not enough. “These interventions are critical, but they are by no means enough to protect the children of Sudan—and the future of Sudan.”
She urged world leaders to take immediate action, calling on the Security Council to enforce a ceasefire, allow unrestricted humanitarian access, and hold perpetrators accountable.
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MSF Briefs the UN Security Council on Sudan’s Humanitarian Crisis
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has also called on the Security Council to take immediate action. In a briefing, MSF Secretary General Christopher Lockyear described the war as “a war on people,” highlighting that both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are actively worsening civilian suffering.
“Two years of unrelenting violence have plagued Sudan. Two years of devastation, displacement, and death. Millions uprooted. Tens of thousands killed. Famine tightening its grip.”
He detailed how the SAF has indiscriminately bombed populated areas while the RSF and allied militias have unleashed systematic sexual violence, abductions, mass killings, and the looting of humanitarian aid.
“The hospital was a scene of utter carnage: waves of patients with catastrophic injuries filled every corner of the emergency room. I witnessed the lives of men, women, and children being torn apart in front of me,” he recounted after visiting an MSF-supported hospital in Omdurman.
Lockyear warned that humanitarian access remains dangerously restricted. Aid convoys face arbitrary delays, heavy taxation, and bureaucratic obstacles imposed by armed groups. Meanwhile, essential medical and food supplies are blocked, exacerbating famine and malnutrition.
“Violence against civilians is driving humanitarian needs. This is not a mere byproduct of the conflict – it is central to how this war is being waged across Sudan.”
He urged the Security Council to enforce humanitarian corridors, protect civilians, and ensure unrestricted aid delivery. Without immediate intervention, Lockyear cautioned, Sudan’s crisis would spiral further into devastation.
“The crisis in Sudan demands a fundamental shift away from the failed approaches of the past. Millions of lives depend on it.”
Lockyear further criticised the Security Council, calling out its failure to act decisively in the face of Sudan’s worsening crisis. He condemned the international community’s inaction, emphasising that the suffering has only intensified despite repeated calls for ceasefires and humanitarian corridors.
“While statements are made in this chamber, civilians remain unseen, unprotected, bombed, besieged, raped, displaced, deprived of food, of medical care, of dignity.”
Lockyear warned that the humanitarian response is faltering, crippled by bureaucracy, insecurity, hesitation, and what threatens to become “the largest divestment in the history of humanitarian aid.” He urged world leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take meaningful action to protect Sudanese civilians.
