UNICEF: Sudan on the Brink of a Looming Catastrophe Threatening an Entire Generation of Children

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that Sudan is on the verge of a looming catastrophe that could wipe out an entire generation of children. This comes amid a worsening humanitarian and living crisis, widespread famine, lack of basic services, rising malnutrition rates, and a decline in funding allocated for humanitarian response.

Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative in Sudan, said:

“After a year in Sudan, I’ve seen the worst that war can bring and the best of humanity in response to it. Children have endured over two years of conflict, but they cannot survive without help.”

Yett explained that Khartoum and Jabal Awliya alone account for 37% of the malnutrition burden in Khartoum State, as two of the most violence-affected and hardest-to-reach areas.

He continued, “I have witnessed children receiving only limited access to safe drinking water, food, healthcare, and education, while malnutrition spreads and many suffer from extreme poverty. Every day without access to them puts their lives at greater risk.”

Yett stressed the urgent need for additional resources and for ensuring safe and sustained humanitarian access, especially in recently reopened areas.

He confirmed that UNICEF and its partners are working tirelessly to provide health, nutrition, water, and education services, and to establish safe spaces for children despite the dangers. However, he emphasized that the scale of needs far exceeds the current available capacity.