Port Sudan/New York – December 27, 2023
In a harrowing turn of events, 253 babies and children have been evacuated from transit centers in Wad Madani, Sudan, to a safer location within the country amidst escalating conflict in Al Jazirah state. Shockingly, for many of these children, this is the second time they have been forced to evacuate after fleeing Mygoma orphanages in Khartoum earlier in the year due to the outbreak of war in April.
UNICEF’s Representative in Sudan, Mandeep O’Brien, expressed dismay, stating, “The recent escalation of the conflict in Sudan and the repeated need for children to move from previously deemed safe areas is a stark reminder of the relentless toll the war is taking on children. As long as the fighting continues, no child in Sudan will be truly safe.”
The evacuation from Khartoum to Wad Madani, led by the Ministry of Social Development and supported by UNICEF and partners, was conducted over two days. Efforts continue to provide essential care and protection, medical assistance, nutritional support, psychosocial stimulation, play, educational activities, and foster family identification for the evacuated children.
Amidst this crisis, over 14 million Sudanese children are in desperate need of urgent humanitarian aid, marking the highest number ever recorded in the country. The war in Sudan has precipitated the largest child displacement crisis globally, with close to 3.5 million children forced to flee their homes due to the conflict.
The impact of escalating violence has left basic services gravely affected, with more than half of Sudan’s states, 10 out of 18, now embroiled in active conflict. This has resulted in the disruption of critical services, such as healthcare, nutrition, education, water, sanitation, and protection, leaving frontline workers without compensation and facilities in disarray.
UNICEF is unequivocal in its call for an immediate ceasefire across Sudan and urges all parties to respect international humanitarian and human rights law, emphasizing the protection of children. Furthermore, UNICEF emphasizes the need for unimpeded humanitarian access to affected areas to provide crucial, life-saving aid to millions of vulnerable children and families.
As the conflict in Sudan continues to ravage the lives and future of its people, it is clear that urgent international attention and action are required to alleviate the suffering and safeguard the well-being of the country’s children.
