KEY POINTS
- Nearly 500 unaccompanied minors arrived in camps over six weeks
- Children face the risk of violence, abuse, and exploitation
- The humanitarian response remains severely underfunded
In recent times, hundreds of children have been arriving in refugee camps in Sudan unaccompanied fleeing from the ongoing conflict. According to a report by Save the Children, over 451 children fled to the Blue Nile and Gedaref states all by themselves. This only shows that the war between the Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has escalated. This war has caused so much harm to the country since April 2023.
Millions of people have been affected by this conflict. children are the ones bearing the repercussions of the crisis. Many of them arrive at the camps greatly injured, many are emotionally traumatized because of separation from their families. “These children have seen their homes, hospitals, and schools bombed,” said Mary Lupul, Humanitarian Director for Save the Children in Sudan.
The conflict has displaced millions, with children bearing the brunt of the crisis. They arrive at the camps injured,
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) made a report that the funds targeted towards humanitarian aid in Sudan are insufficient. Only 37.9% of the promised $2.7 billion response funds have been provided. This has led to many aid organizations struggling to provide sufficient shelter, food and medical care for the victims of war. Heavy downpours of rain have also made the situation worse, leaving many more people homeless and also causing shortages of important goods.
According to a report by Ghana Web, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimated that 725,000 people have lost their homes since June 2003. 50% of this number are children. These displaced children are vulnerable to exploitation, sexual abuse and human trafficking.
Urgent Need for Global Support
Sudan is in great need of international assistance. Over 2.5 million people are currently experiencing hunger. The ongoing war has made many helpless and vulnerable, especially children. Aid workers noted that children require immediate protection and care so that they can recover from the emotional and physical scars caused by the war.
