Over Half of Displaced Sudanese Are Children, Urgent Action Needed

A staggering 5.8 million of the 11 million displaced individuals in Sudan are children under 18, with over 2.8 million being toddlers and preschoolers, according to Save the Children and IOM reports, reliefweb reported yesterday.

The ongoing conflict, escalating since April 2023, has forced 200,000 people from their homes in just the last month.

Children are particularly vulnerable, often lacking access to essential services such as vaccinations, clean water, and shelter. While half of the displaced children are living with host families, the other half face dire conditions in displacement camps and informal settlements.

Girls are especially at risk, with over 3.2 million displaced girls facing threats of violence and early marriage. Red Sea state has the highest proportion of displaced children, comprising 60% of all displaced individuals.

Save the Children calls for urgent international action to address this crisis and protect the rights and safety of Sudan’s children.