New York, March 15( Darfur 24)
UNICEF Director of Emergency Programs, Lucia Elmi, warned that Sudan risks losing an entire generation of children ravaged by conflict, displacement, and hunger.
Lucia spoke to reporters at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva on Friday, noting that she had returned from Sudan last week.
She said urgent action is needed to protect Sudan’s children. She called on all actors—governments, donors, and parties to the conflict—to act now to ensure humanitarian access across conflict lines and borders, protect humanitarian workers and supplies, increase funding to meet the growing needs, and end the violence.
She explained that more than 16 million children are in dire need of assistance, and nearly 17 million children have been out of school for two years.
Girls face grave risks, including sexual violence, trafficking, and forced marriage. More than 12 million people are at risk of gender-based violence.
Lucia emphasized that children are being killed, maimed, and displaced, with grave violations reported daily. Many face the risk of recruitment and use by armed groups, child labor, and early marriage.
She added, “The psychological toll is devastating. Conflict, loss, and displacement have left children suffering from anxiety, depression, and trauma.”
She continued, “Reaching these children has become increasingly difficult. During my recent visit, I traveled to Kassala, Gedaref, and Wad Medani, where I witnessed children being screened for malnutrition, mothers seeking urgent treatment for their children, and families desperate for clean water and sanitation. The need is staggering, yet aid is not being provided at the scale and speed required.”
Acute Malnutrition
The UNICEF official predicted that 3.2 million children under the age of five will suffer from acute malnutrition this year, including 770,000 facing severe acute malnutrition.
She stated that the crisis is not just about food. Without safe water, sanitation, and healthcare, children will not survive, given the collapse of basic services in famine-affected areas.
Lucia Elmi said that bureaucratic and administrative obstacles in obtaining the necessary permits to deliver supplies in areas affected by armed conflict continue to hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid.
She explained that the already dire situation is being exacerbated by the ongoing armed conflict, tribally motivated violence, and direct attacks on humanitarian workers and mutual aid groups. Looting and violence have forced the suspension of operations in several areas.
She added, “Last year, the food crisis in Sudan turned into a famine, something we have long warned about, and now we are warning that the situation is getting worse. Since April 2023, the number of people facing acute food insecurity has tripled.”
Lucia Elmi reported that UNICEF was able to provide psychosocial support, education, and protection services to 2.7 million children and caregivers over the past year, provide safe drinking water to 9.8 million people, screen 6.7 million children for malnutrition, and provide life-saving treatment to approximately 422,000 of them.
She stated that the organization will continue to provide urgent assistance while also working to restore basic services and build resilience in the most affected areas.