Millions of children without access to critical basic services

KHARTOUM, 3 April 2019 – UNICEF is appealing for US$122 million to provide 2.6 million children with humanitarian assistance in Sudan in 2019. In addition, the country hosts 1.2 million refugees and has 1.8 million internally displaced persons, majority of whom are children.

Children in Sudan continue to suffer from long-term conflict, displacement, natural disasters, epidemics and malnutrition — all of which have been made worse by the economic crisis of 2018.

“This year marks the 30th anniversary of the landmark Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions. Conflict and lack of development have terrible consequences for children, who are always hit hardest and are the most likely to have their rights to education, health, nutrition, protection and childhood denied,’’ said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Sudan.

Child malnutrition is widespread, with nearly two thirds of all states in the country experiencing global acute malnutrition rates at or above emergency levels, and 2.4 million children affected by malnutrition. Some 3.3 million people urgently require water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support, including to prevent disease outbreaks. Rising prices for basic goods including food have pushed even more children to the brink. Previously self-reliant communities, including in urban areas, now require support.

Parts of Jebel Marra, Blue Nile and the Nuba Mountains have been inaccessible since 2011. For years, children in these areas have been cut off from basic services, including health; nutrition; education; water, sanitation and hygiene; and child protection support.

Without immediate international assistance, their situation will worsen rapidly.

UNICEF and humanitarian partners will continue to support local partners to respond to the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. Joint planning will be expedited to identify the most vulnerable populations and reach these populations with sustainable local solutions that promote social cohesion and bridge humanitarian action and development programming.

UNICEF will work with both State and non-State actors to increase access to affected children in Blue Nile, South Kordofan and Darfur states. The significant inroads made in Jebel Marra towards improving humanitarian access, protecting civilians and ensuring equitable access to basic services, will facilitate the development of longer-term strategies geared towards lasting and durable solutions.

Media Contacts

Fatma Naib

UNICEF Sudan

Tel: +249 912 177 030

Email: fnaib@unicef.org

Salma Ismail

UNICEF Sudan

Tel: +249 965 101 246

Email: saismail@unicef.org