The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has warned of the continuous deterioration of children's conditions in Sudan, announcing that at least 330 children have been killed or injured during the first half of 2026 amid the ongoing conflict and expanding violence.
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The organization explained in a statement on Monday that the states of Darfur and Kordofan recorded the highest casualty rates among children, pointing out that the city of El Obeid and its surroundings in North Kordofan State are witnessing particularly alarming conditions.
It added that attacks, specifically drone strikes, have resulted since last May in the killing of 18 children and the wounding of more than 17 others in North Kordofan. It noted that drone attacks accounted for approximately 60% of the total casualties among children in the region.
UNICEF emphasized that the attacks have inflicted widespread damage on civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, health facilities, water networks, and markets. They have also disrupted supply lines and exacerbated pressures on essential services.
The organization warned that around 500,000 civilians in and around the city of El Obeid face growing risks, stressing that any new escalation could lead to a rise in the number of children killed, injured, and displaced.
The UNICEF Representative in Sudan, Sheldon Yett, stated that children are living in a continuous cycle of violence, displacement, and deprivation. He asserted that targeting them or placing them in danger represents an unacceptable violation, emphasizing the necessity of protecting them and ensuring their rights are respected.
The organization called on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, ensure safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access, and take all necessary measures to protect children from killing, injury, exploitation, and grave violations.
The Sudanese Army and the RSF militia have been locked in a war since mid-April 2023, which has left tens of thousands dead and displaced millions both inside and outside the country.
