13 Million Children in Need of Assistance as Violence Escalates in Sudan

UNICEF Warns of Devastating Effects on Children in Sudan

According to UNICEF, hundreds of children have been killed as a result of the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Over 13 million children are in need of essential humanitarian assistance, and the consequences for them are becoming increasingly devastating, warns the aid organization.

Hundreds of Children Killed in Conflict

Since mid-April, hundreds of children have been killed due to the violence in Sudan, according to the aid organization. Thousands of children have also been injured in the conflict between the army and militia groups, says UNICEF spokesperson James Elder in Geneva. He stressed that the extent of violence against children in Sudan is not fully known.

Limited Humanitarian Aid Amid Fragile Ceasefire

Despite a fragile ceasefire extended for another five days on Monday, humanitarian aid remains limited in Sudan. Many children and families are still cut off from aid, warns UNICEF. The organization anticipates an additional financial need of $253 million (€237 million) due to the renewed conflict in the country. This figure could cover the treatment of over half a million malnourished children.

In the northeast African country, a long-standing power struggle escalated violently on April 15. The army, under the command of de facto President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, is fighting against the paramilitary units of his former deputy, Mohammed Hamdan Daglo. The two generals had together seized power in 2021 but later fell out.