UNICEF calls for urgent protection of children and immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access
Grave violations against children have surged across Sudan's Darfur states since the start of the year, with 110 violations verified in North Darfur alone and a staggering 83 per cent increase in child casualties in Sudan compared to the first quarter of 2024.
In Al Fasher, North Darfur, more than 70 children have been killed or maimed in less than three months. Since early 2025, intense shelling and airstrikes in the Zamzam camp for internally displaced people (IDPs), have resulted in 16 per cent of all verified child casualties in Al Fasher.
"An estimated 825,000 children are trapped in a growing catastrophe in and around Al Fasher," said UNICEF Representative for Sudan, Sheldon Yett. "With these numbers reflecting only verified incidents, it is likely the true toll is far higher, with children in a daily struggle to survive. Death is a constant threat for children, whether due to the fighting around them or the collapse of the vital services they rely on to survive."
More than 60,000 people have been newly displaced in North Darfur in just 6 weeks, adding to the more than 600,000 people displaced between April 2024, when the violence escalated, and January 2025 – including 300,000 children. An estimated 900,000 people remain in Al Fasher and 750,000 in Zamzam camp trapped by active conflict. Half of them are children.
All access routes are blocked. The Tawila-Zamzam road, once a vital link, is now impassable given the complete collapse in security. Armed groups are targeting rural villages and insecurity has made delivery of aid and commercial goods nearly impossible. Communities face alarming shortages of water, food, medicine, and nutrition supplies. Food prices have nearly doubled in three months.
While many organisations have suspended operations, UNICEF continues its work for children with partners including Relief International, Tabasheer, the Patient Helping Fund and the State Ministry of Health in Al Fasher town as well as in the Zamzam and Abu Shok IDP camps.
Malnutrition is rife. North Darfur has more than 457,000 acutely malnourished children, including nearly 146,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) – the deadliest form. Six localities within the state are at risk of famine, all among the worst-affected by violence and access constraints.
UNICEF delivered ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), and other lifesaving supplies to Al Fasher three months ago, but these stocks are now depleted. Repeated efforts by UNICEF and partners to deliver more supplies have been unsuccessful given threats from armed fighters and criminal gangs. In Zamzam, 2,300 children with severe acute malnutrition are currently being treated but RUTF stocks will be depleted within the next three weeks.
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Prepositioned health, nutrition and WASH supplies remain stranded in El Koma and Tawila, North Darfur. Shelling in Zamzam has also forced health workers at UNICEF-supported facilities to temporarily relocate, further endangering sick children.
UNICEF estimates 500,000 children are at immediate risk if supplies cannot be delivered.
UNICEF calls on all parties to facilitate safe, unimpeded humanitarian access so that life-saving aid can reach children in Al Fasher, Zamzam and other affected areas.
"We cannot turn a blind eye to this hell on earth," said Yett. "UNICEF continues to call on the Government of Sudan, all parties to the conflict, and external supporters of these parties , to take collective action now to stop the conflict and ensure respect for international law, including the unimpeded passage of aid. Children's lives depend on it."
