3 Years of Sudan Humanitarian Crisis - Sudanese Girls Paying the Highest Price
Plan International warns of the severe impact on girls and women, including loss of education and increased violence, three years into the Sudan conflict, urging international action.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 19:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 11:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 08:34 (93h 32m after Collected)
April 15, 2026, marks three years since the escalation of fighting in Sudan. With over 12 million people—a quarter of the population—displaced from their homes, the country is currently facing the world's most severe humanitarian and displacement crisis. The international NGO Plan International (located in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Chairperson: Kiyoko Ikegami; hereinafter "Plan") continues its efforts to protect the rights of children in conflict and provide humanitarian aid based on the principles of neutral and impartial humanitarian assistance. We strongly urge the international community to realize a ceasefire, ensure compliance with international humanitarian law, protect civilians—especially children—and secure humanitarian aid access.
Issues Facing Girls and Women: Violence, Education, and Child Marriage
Many women forced to flee are exposed to the risk of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including sexual assault.
Furthermore, drone attacks on medical facilities are increasing, significantly compromising the medical system for those requiring treatment and support. As a result, they are left without access to emergency medical care, psychosocial support, and legal protection.
This conflict has also completely paralyzed Sudan's education system. Of the more than 14 million children out of school (four in five of school age), many are girls. The school reopening rate is a mere 20%. School buildings have been destroyed, occupied, or deliberately attacked in violation of international humanitarian law.
According to Plan's research, the percentage of out-of-school girls citing "marriage" as the primary reason has increased since the conflict began. A generation of girls who should be attending schools and universities has been pulled from classrooms and exposed to the risks of child marriage, exploitation, early pregnancy, and long-term poverty.
Acts Violating International Humanitarian Law
As mentioned earlier, drone attacks targeting schools and hospitals occur frequently, repeatedly causing dozens of deaths at a time. The victims include children, teachers, and medical staff. Attacking schools and harming children falls under two of the six grave violations against children in armed conflict*, and is an act contrary to international humanitarian law.
*The six grave violations against children in armed conflict refer to: 1) Killing and maiming of children, 2) Recruitment and use of children, 3) Sexual violence, 4) Abduction of children, 5) Attacks on schools and hospitals, and 6) Denial of humanitarian access to children.
In armed conflicts, it is always children, especially girls, who pay the highest price, and their safety and dignity must absolutely be protected.
Deepening Food Crisis and the Impact of the International Situation
Mohamed Kamal, Country Director of Plan International Sudan, states:
"This conflict has devastated Sudan. Youth have lost educational opportunities, hospitals are in ruins, and communities have been torn apart. If we do not act now, its long-term impact will last for generations."
Near-famine conditions are also spreading to new areas within the country. Over 21 million people face severe food insecurity, with children possessing underdeveloped immune systems and women, who are often the last to eat amidst food shortages, being exposed to particularly high health risks. The escalation of conflict in the Middle East, energy shortages due to maritime traffic disruptions, and the closure of the Chad border have placed an additional burden on people already at their limit, leading to a rise in food prices.
Psychosocial Support for Children in Refugee Camps
Fifteen-year-old Rania fled to Chad with her family when fighting approached her village. She currently lives in the Adre refugee camp alongside 46,000 Sudanese refugees.
"There are no lights or electricity at night. I am scared to go outside at night. It is not safe for girls here. I hear gunshots," Rania says.
Plan and its partner organizations have established two learning spaces and two child-friendly spaces in Adre. These facilities aim to promote mental health, psychosocial support, and social interaction.
"Being able to go to school and use the center makes me feel closer to a normal life," Rania shares.
Worsening and Prolonged Current Situation in Sudan
As the international community's attention focuses on the Middle East, Sudan must not be forgotten. Local staff continue to operate at great personal risk, and more than 120 humanitarian aid workers have lost their lives since the conflict began. The transportation of relief supplies is hindered by checkpoints, the threat of drones, and border blockades, causing food and supplies to stall while needs surge exponentially.
In 2026, 33.7 million people, including approximately 15 million children
Issues Facing Girls and Women: Violence, Education, and Child Marriage
Many women forced to flee are exposed to the risk of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including sexual assault.
Furthermore, drone attacks on medical facilities are increasing, significantly compromising the medical system for those requiring treatment and support. As a result, they are left without access to emergency medical care, psychosocial support, and legal protection.
This conflict has also completely paralyzed Sudan's education system. Of the more than 14 million children out of school (four in five of school age), many are girls. The school reopening rate is a mere 20%. School buildings have been destroyed, occupied, or deliberately attacked in violation of international humanitarian law.
According to Plan's research, the percentage of out-of-school girls citing "marriage" as the primary reason has increased since the conflict began. A generation of girls who should be attending schools and universities has been pulled from classrooms and exposed to the risks of child marriage, exploitation, early pregnancy, and long-term poverty.
Acts Violating International Humanitarian Law
As mentioned earlier, drone attacks targeting schools and hospitals occur frequently, repeatedly causing dozens of deaths at a time. The victims include children, teachers, and medical staff. Attacking schools and harming children falls under two of the six grave violations against children in armed conflict*, and is an act contrary to international humanitarian law.
*The six grave violations against children in armed conflict refer to: 1) Killing and maiming of children, 2) Recruitment and use of children, 3) Sexual violence, 4) Abduction of children, 5) Attacks on schools and hospitals, and 6) Denial of humanitarian access to children.
In armed conflicts, it is always children, especially girls, who pay the highest price, and their safety and dignity must absolutely be protected.
Deepening Food Crisis and the Impact of the International Situation
Mohamed Kamal, Country Director of Plan International Sudan, states:
"This conflict has devastated Sudan. Youth have lost educational opportunities, hospitals are in ruins, and communities have been torn apart. If we do not act now, its long-term impact will last for generations."
Near-famine conditions are also spreading to new areas within the country. Over 21 million people face severe food insecurity, with children possessing underdeveloped immune systems and women, who are often the last to eat amidst food shortages, being exposed to particularly high health risks. The escalation of conflict in the Middle East, energy shortages due to maritime traffic disruptions, and the closure of the Chad border have placed an additional burden on people already at their limit, leading to a rise in food prices.
Psychosocial Support for Children in Refugee Camps
Fifteen-year-old Rania fled to Chad with her family when fighting approached her village. She currently lives in the Adre refugee camp alongside 46,000 Sudanese refugees.
"There are no lights or electricity at night. I am scared to go outside at night. It is not safe for girls here. I hear gunshots," Rania says.
Plan and its partner organizations have established two learning spaces and two child-friendly spaces in Adre. These facilities aim to promote mental health, psychosocial support, and social interaction.
"Being able to go to school and use the center makes me feel closer to a normal life," Rania shares.
Worsening and Prolonged Current Situation in Sudan
As the international community's attention focuses on the Middle East, Sudan must not be forgotten. Local staff continue to operate at great personal risk, and more than 120 humanitarian aid workers have lost their lives since the conflict began. The transportation of relief supplies is hindered by checkpoints, the threat of drones, and border blockades, causing food and supplies to stall while needs surge exponentially.
In 2026, 33.7 million people, including approximately 15 million children