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Three million children at risk in Sudan's Al Jazirah state amid escalation of violence

Displaced children who fled the violence in Sudan watch television in a room inside the university of Al-Jazira, transformed into a makeshift shelter, in al-Hasahisa south of Khartoum on July 8, 2023. (Photo by AFP)

By Paul Aginnah | Thursday, December 21, 2023

Since April 15, when the conflict escalated in Sudan, almost 500,000 individuals have sought refuge in Al Jazirah state.

The Al Jazirah state in Sudan continues to face violence, which has recently displaced approximately 150,000 children within a week.

Unicef has expressed concerns about the dire situation, as this outbreak of fighting means that over half of Sudan's states are currently experiencing active conflicts.

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The vulnerable children in Al Jazirah state are being forced to flee their homes, risking their safety and lives amidst the crossfire.

Al Jazirah state is home to an estimated 5.9 million people, half of whom are children.

Since April 15, when the conflict escalated in Sudan, almost 500,000 individuals have sought refuge in Al Jazirah state, with nearly 90,000 specifically taking shelter in the state capital Wad Madani.

Previously considered a relatively safe region, the eruption of violence has unexpectedly necessitated the displacement of tens of thousands of children and their families.

“Tens of thousands of vulnerable children in Al Jazirah state have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety as fighting erupts into areas that were previously considered relatively safe,” said Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell.

Crucial hub

Wad Madani serves as a crucial hub for essential services in Al Jazirah state, including the sole kidney dialysis centre.

The city currently hosts many vulnerable children who have been evacuated from other parts of Sudan since the conflict started.

Any disruption or attack on these services would immediately endanger the lives of thousands, including children.

Moreover, as of December 15, all humanitarian field missions within and from Al Jazirah State have been suspended, further compounding the challenges faced by children and families.

Even before the recent escalation in violence, more than three million children had already been forced to flee widespread violence in search of basic needs; safety, shelter, food, water, education, and healthcare.

This makes Sudan home to the largest child displacement crisis globally.

Unicef and its partners have been working diligently to provide life-saving assistance to over six million children in Sudan and neighbouring countries.

However, the scale of the humanitarian needs outweighs the limited available resources and funding, with Unicef's appeal for Sudan currently only 27 per cent funded.

The escalating violence in Sudan's Al Jazirah state has and continues to place nearly three million children at serious risk.

Urgent international support is needed to protect and provide life-saving assistance to these helpless children and their families.