“Sudan is experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions. It’s a living nightmare for children,” Mandeep O’Brien said this week in an interview with UN News.
Nearly 10 months have passed since clashes erupted between the Sudanese Army and a rival group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leaving14 million children in desperate need of lifesaving assistance.
Child displacement crisis
Ms. O’Brien said the fighting has sparked the world’s largest child displacement crisis. More than 3.5 million boys and girls have fled their homes for safer locations, with some uprooted several times.
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The bad news continues as more than 7.4 million young Sudanese do not have access to safe drinking water, putting them at risk of waterborne diseases, and nearly two million are in urgent need of lifesaving vaccines.
Sudan also has one of the highest rates of child malnutrition in the world. More than three million under-fives suffer from acute malnutrition, and 700,000 could die from its severest form unless they receive medical treatment.
Classrooms in the crosshairs
Furthermore, 19 million school-age children are not in the classroom, putting Sudan at risk of becoming one of the worst learning crises in the world.
“Imagine the future of this country if children are not being able to learn,” Ms. O’Brien remarked. “We estimate that if this continues, Sudan would be facing a $26 billion lifetime earning loss.”
Education is a powerful tool for building peace “because when children are in classrooms, they feel safe, protected, and they can peacefully co-exist,” she said.
“These are values that we shouldn’t take for granted. These are values that have to be lived and practiced by children.”
Open schools, pay teachers
UNICEF has been pushing for Sudanese federal and state authorities to re-open schools, but Ms. O’Brien pointed to another barrier to education.
“For that to happen, teachers need to be paid,” she said. “Sadly, since the onset of this war, teachers and other frontline workers have not been paid their salaries, so this has to happen.”
In the interim, UNICEF and partners have been exploring practical solutions and ways to support the safe re-opening of schools where conditions allow, while also working to reach more young learners.
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Expanding the ‘learning loop’
“For huge numbers of kids who cannot go to school, who were not registered or enrolled in schools prior to the conflict, we’re trying to bring as many kids as possible into the learning loop, into alternative ways of learning,” she said.
To address their needs, UNICEF and partners have launched child-friendly spaces at gathering points for internally displaced people.
Known as makanna – Arabic for “our place” – these are locations where children can feel safe and protected while also continuing their education through e-learning and tried and tested low-cost digital solutions.
More than 850 makannas have been rolled out across Sudan, reaching more than 250,000 children who also receive psychosocial support to address trauma resulting from the war.
Vaccination campaigns
The conflict has also stretched Sudan’s health system to its limits. UNICEF along with the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners continue to work with the authorities to provide urgently needed services amid disease outbreaks, in addition to carrying out child immunization campaigns.
Ms. O’Brien said they have vaccinated more than a million children against measles “which is of great concern and is currently spreading as we speak”.
This week marked the start of a campaign to combat measles and rubella, launched with the support of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi). The aim is to vaccinate more than five million children in seven states by the end of the week and 15 million over the coming months.
Appeal for peace
Although fearing that Sudan risks becoming a forgotten crisis as conflict rages in Gaza and deepens in Ukraine, Ms. O’Brien underlined UNICEF’s commitment to stay and deliver on the ground alongside partners.
Last year, they reached over 6.4 million children and families with urgently needed health supplies and screened more than five million under-fives for malnutrition, treating over 300,000 severe cases.
She appealed for more funding to meet the growing needs of children, women and families.
“Most importantly, we need all international and regional efforts to be joined up so that Sudan can find a political solution to this devastation,” she said.“This war has to stop now. Sudan desperately needs peace.”
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Sudan war is an absolute tragedy for the innocent children caught in the middle. It breaks my heart to see their suffering, and the urgent need for humanitarian aid cannot be overstated. Every child deserves a chance at a safe and healthy life, and it’s crucial that we come together to support these vulnerable young ones during this crisis.
“The situation in Sudan is truly heart-wrenching. It’s devastating to see the immense suffering of innocent children in the midst of a brutal conflict. The numbers mentioned in the article are staggering, and it’s a harsh reality that we must not turn a blind eye to. We need urgent global action to provide these children with the lifesaving assistance they desperately need.”
It is truly heart-wrenching to see the devastating impact of the humanitarian crisis on children in Sudan. The numbers are staggering, and the situation is dire. Immediate action is needed to provide these vulnerable children with the necessary support and resources to ensure their well-being and future prospects.
It is devastating to read about the situation in Sudan. Children are the most vulnerable in conflicts, and it breaks my heart to know that millions are suffering. We must do everything we can to provide aid and support to these innocent souls.
Mandeep O’Brien expressed her deep concern over the dire situation faced by children in Sudan. It is heart-wrenching to see them living through such a nightmare every day. The numbers reflecting the lack of basic necessities and access to education are truly alarming. The international community needs to step up and support these vulnerable children effectively.
Sudan is going through a heartbreaking crisis. The situation is dire, especially for the children who are facing unimaginable hardships every day. It’s devastating to see so many young lives at risk and in desperate need of basic necessities like water and healthcare. The world must come together to help these children in their time of need.
It’s devastating to hear about the crisis in Sudan, especially how it’s impacting the children. The situation demands immediate global attention and action to provide the necessary aid and support.
It’s heart-wrenching to read about the situation in Sudan. Children are suffering immensely, and it’s devastating to see the numbers of those in desperate need of aid. Action must be taken immediately.
How can we help the children in Sudan who are living through such a heartbreaking nightmare?
One way to help the children in Sudan is by supporting reputable organizations that provide aid and assistance on the ground. Donations can make a significant impact in ensuring these children have access to essential resources and care.
Sudan is going through a truly devastating humanitarian crisis, especially for the children. It breaks my heart to see that so many young lives are at risk and facing unimaginable challenges. The numbers are staggering and the situation is dire. We must not turn a blind eye to their suffering and do everything we can to provide the necessary aid and support.
Sudan is experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions. It’s a living nightmare for children. The fighting has sparked the world’s largest child displacement crisis. More than 3.5 million boys and girls have fled their homes for safer locations, with some uprooted several times. The bad news continues as more than 7.4 million young Sudanese do not have access to safe drinking water, putting them at risk of waterborne diseases, and nearly two million are in urgent need of lifesaving vaccines. Sudan also has one of the highest rates of child malnutrition in the world. More than three million under-fives suffer from acute malnutrition, and 700,000 could die from its severest form unless they receive medical treatment. Furthermore, 19 million school-age children are not in the classroom, putting Sudan at risk of becoming one of the worst learning crises in the world. “Imagine the future of this country if children are not being able to learn,” I remarked. “We estimate that if this continues, Sudan would be facing a $26 billion lifetime earning loss.” Education is a powerful tool.
How can we support these children in Sudan and help alleviate their suffering?
It’s devastating to see the situation in Sudan, especially when it comes to the children. The ongoing crisis has left millions of young lives at risk, with no access to basic necessities like clean water and healthcare. The international community must step in to provide immediate assistance and support to prevent further tragedies.