The conflict in Sudan has resulted in the most significant humanitarian crisis globally, affecting more than 30 million individuals who require assistance in 2023, with 16 million of these being children facing extreme hardship.
Over two years into this conflict, officials report that children continue to suffer “unimaginable hardships and appalling violence,” according to the U.N. children’s agency leader.
An estimated 1.3 million children reside in famine-affected areas, with over 770,000 expected to endure “severe acute malnutrition” this year, with potentially fatal consequences without intervention. The conflict erupted in April 2023 over longstanding tensions between military and paramilitary leaders, initially sparking in Khartoum and spreading across various regions, including Western Darfur.
At least 20,000 have lost their lives, with the actual number potentially much higher, and more than 14 million people have been displaced. Reports show that of more than 900 significant violations against children within the last half of 2024, 80% involved killings or mutilations, predominantly in areas like Darfur, Khartoum, and Gezira province. “Sadly, we know these figures only represent a small part of the full scale,” the UNICEF executive director noted.
Sexual violence has become rampant, with 12.1 million women and girls – and increasingly men and boys – currently at risk. This reflects an 80% uptick from the prior year. From data gathered by UNICEF from aid organizations operating in Sudan, 221 cases of child rape were documented in 2024 across nine different provinces, with girls comprising 67% and boys 33% of the victims. Disturbingly, 16 of those cases involved children younger than five, and four were infants under one year of age.
These figures represent just a fraction of the broad crisis, as many victims or their families often choose not to report incidents due to fear or inability. Christopher Lockyear, managing director of Doctors Without Borders, highlighted the aggravation of civilian suffering by both conflict parties.
The government has been responsible for indiscriminate bombing of crowded areas, while the Rapid Support Forces and partner militias committed widespread sexual violence, abductions, mass executions, and seized humanitarian supplies and medical centers.
“Both parties have besieged towns, damaged vital infrastructure, and obstructed aid,” he said. Despite the Security Council’s resolutions demanding an end to the conflict, there has been a failure to enact these goals. Lockyear argued for a new agreement that shields civilians, allows humanitarian groups unobstructed access to deliver vital supplies, and ensures the reaction is free from political control, supported by a robust accountability framework.
After briefing, Lockyear told reporters he received encouraging remarks from some Security Council members, hoping for tangible results. Despite cuts in foreign aid by the Trump administration, U.S. deputy ambassador Dorothy Shea announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved emergency aid waivers for food, medicine, shelter, and other assistance, including for Sudan. However, no financial details were provided.
UNICEF estimates $1 billion will be necessary this year to provide lifesaving assistance to 8.7 million vulnerable children in Sudan. Lockyear speculated that ongoing aid cuts by the Trump administration would further deteriorate the humanitarian conditions in the country.
