Sudan, a country on the brink of crisis.
“Children are always asking when they can go home.”, Limia, Director of SOS Children’s Villages Sudan
Sudan is facing one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world right now. This is due to two major and opposing factors: human conflict and natural disasters.
Death, famine, the loss of homes and livelihoods, physical and sexual violence, and disease. These are just some of the daily risks facing the Sudanese people.
Reports also highlight alarming protection risks. This includes targeted attacks on civilians and water poisoning incidents, increasing fear and uncertainty (UNICEF, December 2024).
The crisis in Sudan is hitting children the hardest, as is sadly often the case.
Children are facing a multitude of risks to their safety, security and education.
Human conflict
To date, the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has:
- displaced over 12million people
- killed 150,000 people
- caused serious shortages of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies
- left over 19million children without access to education.
Natural disaster
Between June and August 2024, critical flooding displaced 21,370 people and destroyed or damaged 7,863 structures. This has added more pressure to already limited resources, particularly in Kassala and White Nile states (DTM.IOM, December 2024; UNHCR, December 2024).
A deadly combination
This combination of the destruction of landscape and infrastructure, shrinking resources, and extreme weather has intensified the needs of the Sudanese people. In turn, it has overwhelmed already stretched and complex aid efforts (ReliefWeb, December 2024; UNOCHA, December 2024).
Meanwhile, the war’s also devastated Sudan’s economy. It’s stopped financial transactions, disrupted exports and imports, and ultimately caused ‘hyperinflation’*.
In short, the cost of essential goods, including food, fuel, and medicine, has soared beyond affordability and access (World Bank, December 2024; UNOCHA, December 2024).
(*extreme and rapid rise in the price of good and services)
Impact of the crisis on children and families in Sudan
The impact of the crisis in Sudan is widespread. South Darfur, river Nile, and east Darfur are among the hardest-hit areas.
Meanwhile, a sharp increase in displaced people finding refuge in the White Nile, north Darfur and Kassala is causing a decline in the areas’ already depleted resources.
This, in turn, is creating a more urgent need for aid and support to these ‘host areas’ and their rapidly rising populations. And in Kassala especially (considered, relatively, to be a safe zone) crime rates are starting to soar.
Despite relocation, families and children are facing insecurity at every turn.
Insecurity without limits
Across Sudan, very little of daily life remains untouched by crisis.
And the toll is falling most heavily on children and other vulnerable groups. Of the over 12million people currently displaced 50% are children.
Armed forces occupied SOS Children’s Villages Sudan just two days after conflict began. In response, we successfully relocated all families in our care from affected areas to Kassala state, ensuring their safety and integration into host communities.
SOS Children’s Villages safely relocated and resettled 69 young people in Kassala. We also integrated 40 young people into communities through small-group housing models.
Famine and hunger
Food insecurity has reached unprecedented levels. Around 16million children are affected, with famine confirmed in parts of North Darfur and the western side of Sudan. This is placing millions at immediate risk of starvation (IPC, December 2024; UNOCHA, December 2024).
Reports suggest there’s little to no food aid getting to parts of the country and that in some areas there are currently no humanitarian corridors*.
(*a temporary zone where humanitarian organisations can safely enter an area to provide aid)
Lack of healthcare
Up to 80% of health facilities are closed, making access to healthcare nearly impossible for millions (WHO, December 2024; UNOCHA, December 2024).
There are severe shortages of medicines, medical supplies, and qualified personnel.
Pregnant women, children, and elderly people face a higher risk of disease. This is particularly the case in displacement camps where poor sanitation, limited clean water, and lack of proper waste management persist.
Many people spend hours searching for water, much of which is unsafe, leading to a surge in diarrhoea and kidney-related illnesses (UNOCHA, December 2024; Relief-Web, December 2024).
Child protection risks
Child labour and early marriage are major issues putting the safety and security of children at increased risk. One particular risk to their safety is the continuous recruitment of children as young as 11 years old into armed groups.
And attempts are being made publicly.
This undermines child protection laws and highlights an increasing concern for the physical and mental safety of children.
SOS Children’s Villages are working to protect the children in our care and prevent their recruitment after they leave.
Lack of education
Sudan’s education system is on the brink of collapse. Due to displacement, destruction of schools, and the use of educational facilities as shelters, 19million school-aged children are not in school.
Young people have been denied access to higher education, leaving a generation without prospects for the future.
Gender-based violence
6.7million people are at risk of gender-based violence.
Displaced women collecting firewood or attempting to farm are regularly targeted, and cases of sexual violence have been reported across many states (UNOCHA, December 2024).
Sudan humanitarian crisis: our impact so far
How SOS Children’s Villages is helping in Sudan
SOS Children’s Villages has focused on providing alternative care, emergency relief, child safeguarding, and youth empowerment projects, to make sure vulnerable children and young people receive the support they need to thrive despite challenging circumstances.
SOS Children’s Villages’ Emergency Response Programme has supported 32,000 children and families in Sudan through:
- food distribution
- child protection services
- mental health and psychosocial support
- water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services
In addition to this, SOS Children’s Villages provided life-saving assistance to 81 children in government orphanages and 111 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in Kassala and New Halfa cities through medicines for children, laboratory equipment, and food packages.
To better support children and families, SOS Children’s Villages Sudan put solar power into the Kassala office, preventing power shortages and helping ensure uninterrupted, reliable services. In a time of instability and fear, this seemingly small step delivers a vital and consistent lifeline to those who need it most.
A range of programmes were also carried out to protect children without parental care and to support displaced children and families.
These covered the following areas of need:
Child Safeguarding
Child safeguarding is always a key part of all SOS Children’s Villages programmes. SOS Children’s Villages Sudan made sure all staff, caregivers, and community partners had detailed training on child safeguarding policies and procedures to lessen risks and help stop abuse.
Our efforts to raise awareness and influence change (advocacy) have strengthened partnerships with government entities at national and state levels. This has led to better child protection measures and helped children get legal documents they need for relocation.
Education & Employability
Education has remained a priority despite instability. Support has included helping two students to complete their university studies and 12 others to sit their Sudanese exams in northern states. Additionally, groups of young people were trained in nursing and sewing.
SOS Children’s Villages helped 40 young people obtain legal documents, such as IDs and passports, so they could pursue education and employment opportunities. We also supposed 14 additional young people in developing ‘exit plans’, setting a foundation for independence.
Community Support
SOS Children’s Villages carried out gender awareness sessions to help prevent gender-based violence and early marriage in displaced communities.
In addition, SOS Children’s Villages Sudan has been assisting the successful integration of SOS families into host communities through strengthened community engagement.
Furthermore, SOS Children’s Villages Sudan secured $900,000 to address the most urgent needs of displaced individuals and children without parental care in Kassala.
Next steps
We remain committed to ending the crisis in Sudan. Looking ahead, SOS Children’s Villages aims to expand digital education projects to ensure uninterrupted learning opportunities for displaced children and young people, particularly those at risk of being recruited to fight in armed groups.
We also plan to create child-friendly spaces, with support from a psychologist, to provide mental health services to children and caregivers affected by high levels of stress and anxiety as a direct result of the conflict.
SOS Children’s Villages is committed to enhancing alternative care models to better support young people as they become independent.
Despite ongoing challenges, SOS Children’s Villages in Sudan (and globally across our Federation) remain committed to protecting and empowering children and ensuring their wellbeing, safety, and long-term stability.
How can you help?
By giving to our Emergencies Fund today, you will help us reach children and families caught in crises like this – wherever and whenever the need is greatest