A new report from the United Nations has highlighted a disturbing surge in violence against children due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, emphasizing the urgent need for immediate and effective protective measures.
According to the UN’s official website, the recently released document on children and armed conflict in Sudan documented 2,168 grave violations against 1,913 children in 2022 and 2023. This represents a significant increase compared to the previous reporting period.
The most prevalent violations included killing and maiming (1,525 cases), recruitment and use of children in combat (277 cases), and sexual violence (153 cases). In addition, 33 children were abducted, 118 schools and hospitals attacked, and there were 62 incidents of denial of humanitarian access to children in need.
Virginia Gamba, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, expressed her profound concern over the findings. “I am appalled at the level of violence affecting children, the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, including schools and medical facilities,” she said. “There is a lack of effective efforts of parties to the conflict to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to suffering populations, including children.”
I urge all parties to immediately commit to a durable cessation of hostilities. The future of children in the Sudan depends on it.
These alarming statistics underscore the critical need for coordinated international action to protect children in conflict zones and ensure their safety and well-being.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan has reached catastrophic levels, with 14 million children in dire need of aid and protection.
Starvation and an imminent risk of famine loom large as humanitarian efforts face significant obstructions.
In addition, about 19 million children are out of school, and many lack access to basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, electricity, education and healthcare, the report said.
source: http://news.un.org
