Sudan’s displacement crisis puts millions of young children at risk
October 30, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – The number of displaced people in Sudan has surged to 11 million, with over 2.8 million of them babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, Save the Children warned on Tuesday, citing new figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The ongoing conflict, which escalated in April 2023, has triggered the world’s largest displacement crisis, with over 30% of Sudan’s population forced from their homes. The situation has deteriorated rapidly, with 200,000 people displaced in the last month alone, including 45,000 in Al Jazirah state in the past week.
Children are bearing the brunt of the crisis. Over half of the displaced population – 5.8 million – are children under 18, with 2.8 million under the age of five. These young children are particularly vulnerable, facing increased risks of disease, malnutrition, and lack of access to essential services.
“These young children are particularly vulnerable, and while displaced, many will miss out on early childhood essentials – including vaccinations, clean water, healthcare, nutritious food, and shelter from extreme heat and cold,” Save the Children said in a statement.
Many displaced children are reportedly living in dire conditions, with 18% in displacement camps, 16% in informal settlements or out in the open, and 9% in overcrowded schools or public buildings. Girls face heightened risks, with over 3.2 million girls under 18 threatened by sexual violence, rape and forced marriage.
Save the Children cited reports of children killed, injured, and subjected to sexual violence in recent attacks, further stressing that “In the past week alone, at least 10 children have been killed, including children as young as 10, and at least 43 children injured in Al Jazirah state.”
It says Sudan’s Red Sea state has the highest proportion of displaced children, making up to 60% of all displaced people, followed by Central Darfur with 57%. More than a third of those children and families now displaced in Sudan are from the capital Khartoum, which has witnessed some of the fiercest fighting of the conflict, followed by South Darfur (19%) and North Darfur (15%).
Mohamed Abdiladif, interim Country Director for Save the Children in Sudan, called for urgent international action to address the crisis.
“The situation in Sudan is spiralling out of control and every day more and more lives are put at risk with killings, violence and displacement,” he said adding “This has become one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crisis but the world is not taking notice.”
Meanwhile Save the Children urged an immediate ceasefire and progress towards a lasting peace agreement to protect vulnerable children and their families.
(ST)