Three Years of Suffering: The Deep Scars Etched on Sudan's Children
International NGO World Vision warns that as the Sudan conflict enters its fourth year, children face widespread hunger, malnutrition, sexual violence, and loss of education. With 17.3 million children needing humanitarian aid, the organization calls for urgent international intervention.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 19:00
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Mother and child in an IDP camp in East Jebel Marra, Darfur, Western Sudan.
Sudan is now one of the harshest places in the world for children. As the conflict enters its fourth year, with no end in sight to the violence, international NGO World Vision (WV) warns that a generation is being systematically lost. While the international community remains silent, a life is lost every hour. The following situations continue in Sudan:
* Massive hunger and severe food insecurity are spreading across the country, with 17.3 million children in need of assistance.
* 4.2 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition, 800,000 of whom are in such a severe state of wasting that they cannot recover without specialized therapeutic food.
* Due to the collapse of social systems, girls are exposed to the terrifying risks of sexual violence and exploitation.
* 10.5 million children are out of school and have not received classroom education for three years.
East Jebel Marra IDP camp: Approximately 40,000 people live on steep rocky mountains.
Amidst ongoing violence, children are losing their lives and being injured daily. Serious violations of child rights are reported nationwide. Homes, schools, and medical facilities have been destroyed, depriving children of safety, education, healthcare, and even a 'sense of normalcy.'
Donations for refugee support are being accepted.
Sudan: Three years into the conflict, a report from the field: "I am Sudanese. I cry every day."
The reality of the crisis directly affecting children.
The damage from three years of conflict is immeasurable. Currently, 17.3 million children are in need of humanitarian aid. In just one IDP camp in South Darfur State, over 200 children separated from their families have been identified. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and many children are suffering in silence.
At a community center operated by World Vision in El Daein, East Darfur State, approximately 100 children are provided with meals, play opportunities, and psychosocial support.
Nine-year-old Omer, living in South Darfur State, suffers from stunted growth, has no energy to play, eats only one bowl of porridge a day, and sometimes nothing at all. Omer's appearance is the very reality of famine-stricken Sudan.
"My legs are heavy, and my stomach always hurts. I'm so tired. I don't want to play. I just want the hunger to end."
Weight measurement and nutrition monitoring in a camp in South Darfur State, where 56,000 displaced people live. Nutritional supplements are provided according to nutritional status.
Adam is a survivor of an incident where a hospital was directly attacked, killing 17 children and seriously injuring dozens.
"There was a big explosion, and the hospital collapsed. Now my legs don't work."
Even medical facilities, which are supposed to heal people, have become targets of attack. Adam's testimony highlights the reality that even the last safe places have been lost for the most vulnerable, including children.
El Daein Teaching Hospital, a key hospital in East Darfur State, was also attacked and destroyed.
On the day their home was shelled.
Eleven-year-old Ibrahim cannot forget the terror of the day his home was shelled.
"The sky was black with smoke, and I saw bloody people. I ran until I couldn't breathe. I thought it would be safe here, but there's only dust. Before, I had books and a bed. Now I sleep on the ground in a temporary shelter, waiting for food that never comes."
Violence forces millions of people to make the agonizing choice between staying and dying or fleeing with no guarantee of survival. Over 13 million people have already been displaced.
East Jebel Marra IDP camp: The rainy season is approaching.
For girls, the situation is even more severe. Amidst the collapse of protection mechanisms, Shaira, separated from her family, suffered sexual violence and was left alone, pregnant.
Simon Manley, World Vision Sudan Country Director, appeals:
"Behind every statistic is 'a child' who has lost their home, school, and safety. The reality of hundreds of children separated from their parents in one camp is proof that children continue to suffer in silence. Without massive funding increases and a serious commitment to peace now, these wounds will never heal.
Children need the world to show the same concern for the protection of their lives. The longer this is delayed, the more lives will be at risk."
Children playing in a safe space provided by World Vision in East Darfur State. Many have fled hunger and violence.
Message from Sudan Program Staff:
"In Sudan, people...
Sudan is now one of the harshest places in the world for children. As the conflict enters its fourth year, with no end in sight to the violence, international NGO World Vision (WV) warns that a generation is being systematically lost. While the international community remains silent, a life is lost every hour. The following situations continue in Sudan:
* Massive hunger and severe food insecurity are spreading across the country, with 17.3 million children in need of assistance.
* 4.2 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition, 800,000 of whom are in such a severe state of wasting that they cannot recover without specialized therapeutic food.
* Due to the collapse of social systems, girls are exposed to the terrifying risks of sexual violence and exploitation.
* 10.5 million children are out of school and have not received classroom education for three years.
East Jebel Marra IDP camp: Approximately 40,000 people live on steep rocky mountains.
Amidst ongoing violence, children are losing their lives and being injured daily. Serious violations of child rights are reported nationwide. Homes, schools, and medical facilities have been destroyed, depriving children of safety, education, healthcare, and even a 'sense of normalcy.'
Donations for refugee support are being accepted.
Sudan: Three years into the conflict, a report from the field: "I am Sudanese. I cry every day."
The reality of the crisis directly affecting children.
The damage from three years of conflict is immeasurable. Currently, 17.3 million children are in need of humanitarian aid. In just one IDP camp in South Darfur State, over 200 children separated from their families have been identified. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and many children are suffering in silence.
At a community center operated by World Vision in El Daein, East Darfur State, approximately 100 children are provided with meals, play opportunities, and psychosocial support.
Nine-year-old Omer, living in South Darfur State, suffers from stunted growth, has no energy to play, eats only one bowl of porridge a day, and sometimes nothing at all. Omer's appearance is the very reality of famine-stricken Sudan.
"My legs are heavy, and my stomach always hurts. I'm so tired. I don't want to play. I just want the hunger to end."
Weight measurement and nutrition monitoring in a camp in South Darfur State, where 56,000 displaced people live. Nutritional supplements are provided according to nutritional status.
Adam is a survivor of an incident where a hospital was directly attacked, killing 17 children and seriously injuring dozens.
"There was a big explosion, and the hospital collapsed. Now my legs don't work."
Even medical facilities, which are supposed to heal people, have become targets of attack. Adam's testimony highlights the reality that even the last safe places have been lost for the most vulnerable, including children.
El Daein Teaching Hospital, a key hospital in East Darfur State, was also attacked and destroyed.
On the day their home was shelled.
Eleven-year-old Ibrahim cannot forget the terror of the day his home was shelled.
"The sky was black with smoke, and I saw bloody people. I ran until I couldn't breathe. I thought it would be safe here, but there's only dust. Before, I had books and a bed. Now I sleep on the ground in a temporary shelter, waiting for food that never comes."
Violence forces millions of people to make the agonizing choice between staying and dying or fleeing with no guarantee of survival. Over 13 million people have already been displaced.
East Jebel Marra IDP camp: The rainy season is approaching.
For girls, the situation is even more severe. Amidst the collapse of protection mechanisms, Shaira, separated from her family, suffered sexual violence and was left alone, pregnant.
Simon Manley, World Vision Sudan Country Director, appeals:
"Behind every statistic is 'a child' who has lost their home, school, and safety. The reality of hundreds of children separated from their parents in one camp is proof that children continue to suffer in silence. Without massive funding increases and a serious commitment to peace now, these wounds will never heal.
Children need the world to show the same concern for the protection of their lives. The longer this is delayed, the more lives will be at risk."
Children playing in a safe space provided by World Vision in East Darfur State. Many have fled hunger and violence.
Message from Sudan Program Staff:
"In Sudan, people...