The escalating violence in Sudan’s North Darfur state has taken a devastating toll on children, with at least 43 people, including children and women, killed in recent weeks. The threat of an imminent military attack on El Fasher, a city housing over 500,000 displaced individuals, has raised concerns of a catastrophic escalation that could endanger the lives of 750,000 children in the city and potentially millions more.
Reports of attacks on villages in western El-Fasher have included horrific acts of violence, such as sexual violence, children being injured and killed, and homes being destroyed. Families have been forced to flee once again, with children being separated from their families or going missing in the chaos.
The situation is exacerbated by overcrowded displacement camps lacking adequate access to food, water, and shelter, putting children at further risk. The encircling of El Fasher by armed groups and restrictions on movement have limited families from leaving, while a lack of humanitarian access has led to scarcity of essential services and skyrocketing costs for basic necessities.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on all parties involved in the conflict to de-escalate the situation, allow the safe movement of civilians, and ensure the protection of civilians and infrastructure. The organization emphasizes the urgent need for humanitarian access to provide aid to those in need.
As the violence in Sudan continues to escalate, the lives of children are at stake, and the international community must act swiftly to prevent further loss of life. UNICEF urges for immediate action to protect the most vulnerable in Sudan and prevent a humanitarian crisis from worsening.