The head of the UN’s children’s agency has issued an urgent plea. After visiting the frontlines in Sudan, she warned that children are paying the ultimate price for the ongoing war.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell traveled to a boys’ school in Kassala State this week. Her goal was to shine a global spotlight on the catastrophe.
A devastating civil war has engulfed the nation since April 2023. The conflict, sparked by a power struggle between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has created a nightmare for civilians.
A Staggering Toll
The UN body released grim statistics. An estimated 10 million people have been displaced from their homes. Half of them—5 million—are children.
Even more alarming is the death toll. Officials believe more than 150,000 people have died since the fighting began.
The violence shows no sign of stopping. On December 8, a targeted attack struck a kindergarten in South Kordofan. The strike killed at least 63 children. This tragedy underscores the total lack of safety for the country’s youth.
Famine and Isolation
According to UNICEF, 30 million people currently require humanitarian assistance.
The situation is most critical in besieged areas like the Darfur and Kordofan regions. Here, vulnerable children are trapped. They have practically no access to food, water, or medical supplies.
- Famine Declared: Experts have confirmed famine conditions in parts of these regions. There is a high risk of it spreading.
- El-Fasher Captured: Fears have spiked for residents of el-Fasher. The RSF recently seized the city, leading to claims of genocide in western Darfur.
Women and Girls Targeted
The crisis has also unleashed horrific violence against women and girls. Reports indicate high levels of sexual violence.
During her time in Kassala, Russell visited a UNICEF-supported center. It provides psychosocial support and skills training.
Many women there found safety after fleeing the violence. However, such services are extremely limited in the harder-hit regions due to ongoing insecurity.
Aid Efforts Amidst Chaos
Families attempting to escape face treacherous routes. Those who reach safer areas often arrive in severe distress, malnourished, and sick.
Russell also visited the As-Senniya site for internally displaced people in Port Sudan. Despite the challenges, aid workers are making progress:
- Reunification: Teams have reunited over 200 unaccompanied children with their families in North Darfur.
- Essential Services: Workers are restoring safe water supplies and medical clinics.
- Survivor Support: The agency provides cash assistance and psychological care for trauma survivors.
UNICEF has called for an immediate end to the violence. The agency demands that all parties uphold international humanitarian law to ensure the safety of every child.
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