War Child Statement on Escalating Crisis in El Fasher, Sudan

Children in El Fasher - already besieged and traumatised - are once again bearing the brunt of this brutal conflict. No child should have to live in fear of shelling, abduction, or gender-based violence. Yet, as fighting intensifies, deeply concerning reports of grave violations against children are increasing.

Humanitarian organisations are reporting the deaths and disappearance of aid workers, and entire communities cut off by communication blackouts. An estimated 130,000 children in El Fasher are at immediate risk of serious harm.

To protect children and families from further harm, there must be:

• An immediate ceasefire and end to hostilities in Sudan;
• Safe, unimpeded humanitarian access to all children and families in need;
• Protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law; and
• Accountability for all those responsible for violations against children.

Across Sudan, 15 million children are now in urgent need of protection, education, and mental health and psychosocial support. Nearly 17 million are out of school, and more than 5 million have fled their homes. The relentless horrors occurring in El Fasher risk deepening what is already the world’s worst child displacement crisis.

War Child and our local partners continue to respond to the needs of children affected by the conflict across Sudan, including in Darfur, Kordofan and Kassala States. Together, we are delivering child protection, education, and psychosocial support in some of the hardest-to-reach areas, while supporting displaced children and families who have fled to South Sudan and Uganda.