UNICEF Warns of Child Deaths in Sudan

In a stark warning, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder reported that thousands of children have been killed or injured in the ongoing war in Sudan, with increasing incidents of sexual violence and the looming threat of famine. The situation is particularly dire, as famine has already been confirmed in one displacement camp, with the potential to spread to 13 other areas. Elder emphasized that without immediate action from influential governments and donors, tens of thousands of Sudanese children could die in the coming months, a scenario that he described as not even the worst-case outcome. The conflict has led to the displacement of five million children, averaging 10,000 per day, making it the largest child displacement crisis globally. Many of these children have been forced to flee their homes multiple times. The Famine Review Committee confirmed famine conditions at the Zamzam camp in North Darfur, marking the first such determination in over seven years. Elder warned that any disease outbreak in these conditions could lead to skyrocketing mortality rates. Elder criticized the international community and warring parties for their neglect, stating that countless atrocities against children in Sudan remain unreported due to limited access. He called for unimpeded humanitarian access across conflict lines, particularly in Darfur, Khartoum, and Kordofan. Despite the challenges, UNICEF and its partners have reached five million children and families with essential services, but more funding is urgently needed to scale up their emergency response efforts.