UNICEF and MSF report grave conditions for 16 million children in Sudan due to civil war, with risks including violence, disease, and lack of education. Calls for international attention and aid were emphasized, highlighting the need for immediate humanitarian intervention.
Catherine Russell, the Executive Director of UNICEF, reported on the dire situation of children in Sudan, revealing that 16 million are currently suffering due to the ongoing civil war. She highlighted that these children are repeatedly exposed to threats including violence, starvation, disease, and sexual assault. “The fighting is happening right at their doorsteps, around their homes, their schools and hospitals,” she stated during a U.N. Security Council meeting.
Particularly vulnerable are children under the age of five, with over 1.3 million living in areas at high risk of famine. Additionally, approximately 3 million children are susceptible to diseases like cholera and malaria due to the deteriorating health infrastructure. Alarmingly, at least 16.5 million young individuals are currently out of school, further compounding the crisis.
Russell also reported 221 instances of child rape documented across nine of Sudan’s 18 states last year. Notably, two-thirds of the victims were girls, and some cases involved infants; “In 16 of the recorded cases, the children were under the age of five. Four were babies under the age of one,” she detailed. She emphasized that ending hostilities would not suffice to alleviate the deep-rooted suffering. “The trauma these children experience and the deep scars it leaves behind do not end with the signing of a ceasefire or a peace agreement,” Russell asserted.
In agreement, Christopher Lockyear from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) informed the council that his organization had treated 385 survivors of sexual violence last year. “The vast majority — including some younger than five — had been raped, often by armed men,” he revealed, emphasizing the alarming reality where women and girls are often targeted.
The conflict, rooted in power struggles between rival generals since April 2023 in Khartoum, has expanded to various regions including Darfur. The U.N. condemns both factions, the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, for committing severe human rights violations. Lockyear recounted a disturbing scene he witnessed while in Sudan, describing it as “utter carnage.” He criticized the unfulfilled calls for peace, stating, “While statements are made in this chamber, civilians remain unseen, unprotected… deprived of food, of medical care, of dignity.”
Russell announced that UNICEF requires a billion dollars this year to assist 8.7 million children in Sudan with essential needs like nutrition, water, educational support, and health care. Both she and Lockyear appealed to the Security Council to promote the cessation of hostilities and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.
In summary, the ongoing civil war in Sudan has created a humanitarian crisis deeply affecting children, with millions being exposed to violence, disease, and deprivation. UNICEF’s call for urgent support underscores the need for immediate humanitarian aid to address the dire needs of vulnerable populations. The importance of international attention and action to protect these children and facilitate assistance cannot be overstated. Immediate intervention is crucial to alleviate their suffering and guide recovery efforts.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
