Escalating Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan: An Urgent Call for International Action

Background:

The conflict in Sudan has reached a critical juncture as it surpasses the 300-day mark, with devastating impacts on the civilian population, especially children. The war has not only led to widespread destruction and violence but has also precipitated a severe humanitarian crisis characterized by malnutrition, displacement, and a collapse of healthcare services. The situation is particularly dire for children, who are facing unprecedented levels of acute malnutrition and displacement, making them highly vulnerable to disease and death.

Introduction:

This situational analysis by the Sudan International Human Rights Organization (SIHRO) aims to shed light on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, focusing on the plight of children affected by the conflict. Drawing on recent data and reports, including UNICEF’s latest findings and OCHA Sudan’s monthly reports, this analysis provides an overview of the current situation, identifies the key challenges and risks, and outlines the urgent needs and recommendations for international action to address this crisis.

Situational Analysis:

Current Situation:

• Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM): UNICEF reports record levels of SAM admissions, the deadliest form of malnutrition, with an estimated 3.5 million children at risk of acute malnutrition in 2024, including over 700,000 suffering from SAM.
• Displacement Crisis: Approximately 3 million children have been internally displaced due to the ongoing conflict, contributing to the world’s largest child displacement crisis. Conditions in overcrowded and unsanitary displacement sites are exacerbating the risk of disease spread, particularly lethal for malnourished children.
• Healthcare Collapse: More than 70% of health facilities in conflict zones are non-functional, with health workers unpaid for months. The lack of access to healthcare services is compounded by outbreaks of cholera and measles, further endangering children’s lives.

Key Challenges and Risks:

• Access to Humanitarian Aid: The fighting has severely restricted access to affected areas, hindering the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, including food, medical supplies, and therapeutic treatments for malnourished children.
• Worsening Food Security: The conflict has disrupted Sudan’s agricultural sector, particularly in Al Jezira state, leading to the highest levels of hunger ever recorded. The upcoming lean season threatens to exacerbate the situation, with catastrophic hunger conditions looming.
• Protection Concerns: Children in Sudan are increasingly exposed to grave protection violations, including sexual violence and recruitment into the conflict. The closure and struggle to reopen schools pose a significant risk to their education and future.

Urgent Needs:

• Immediate Humanitarian Access: Safe, sustained, and unimpeded access to all conflict-affected areas is crucial to deliver life-saving aid and prevent further loss of life.
• Scaling Up Nutritional and Health Interventions: To address children’s acute needs, a significant increase in support for nutritional programs and healthcare services, including mobile health teams and disease prevention efforts, is essential.
• Educational and Protective Services: Efforts to provide alternative education opportunities and protective services for children must be prioritized to safeguard their rights and well-being.

Recommendations for International Action:

• Enhanced International Support: SIHRO calls on the international community to significantly increase funding and resources to meet Sudan’s urgent humanitarian needs, with a focus on the most vulnerable children.
• Political Solution to the Conflict: A concerted diplomatic effort is needed to broker a ceasefire and a sustainable peace agreement, addressing the root causes of the conflict to ensure long-term stability and recovery.
• Accountability and Protection Measures: Strengthening mechanisms for accountability and protection to prevent violations against children and ensure their safety and rights are upheld is imperative.

Conclusion:

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict, poses an immediate and grave threat to millions of children. Without urgent international action, the situation risks escalating into a generational catastrophe with far-reaching implications. SIHRO urges all stakeholders to recognize the scale of the crisis and act swiftly to provide the necessary humanitarian assistance and support to resolve the conflict peacefully.