Over a year into the conflict, the war in Sudan is having a devastating impact on the health and wellbeing of Sudan’s 24.7 million children. 24.8 million people are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, including 13.6 million children. After a year and a half of devastation, Sudan is currently experiencing the largest child displacement crisis (5 million), largest hunger crisis, and worst education crisis in the world. Amidst the war and several disease outbreaks (cholera, measles, malaria), basic service delivery systems are on the brink of collapse due to insecurity, lack of access and insufficient financial resources to deliver supplies, and an inability to retain qualified personnel and maintain operations. Sudan is facing a humanitarian and generational catastrophe for 24 million children. The Famine Review Committee has confirmed that the situation in North Darfur, in Sudan, has now likely surpassed the Famine threshold.
Despite significant challenges, since the start of the conflict, UNICEF and partners have worked to provide life-saving assistance. In 2024 so far, UNICEF and partners have reached 5.2 million children and their families with safe drinking water, screened 2.8 million children for wasting, provided 2 million children with access to education, provided over 1.8 million children and caregivers with psychosocial counselling, learning, and protection support, and 72,828 children and families with cash, information and services to preserve health and resilience. Yet while the scale of humanitarian needs continues to dwarf available resources and funding, further support, along with safe and unhindered humanitarian access to deliver life-saving supplies, is critical. Civilian displacement has also led to increasing pressures and vulnerabilities for refugee and host communities in neighboring Chad.
UNICEF continues to call for an immediate ceasefire across Sudan and reiterates its call for all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian and human rights law – including ensuring that children are protected – and that rapid, safe, unimpeded humanitarian access to children and families in affected areas is facilitated.
UNICEF aims to reach 9.9 million people, including 7.6 million children, in Sudan with humanitarian assistance in 2024. With your support, UNICEF can continue its lifesaving work for children in Sudan. Thank you.
