8 million Sudanese children at risk from growing economic crises, hunger and conflict

Today’s international report revealed the vulnerability of approximately 8 million children in need of humanitarian assistance in the Sudan; is at greater risk from growing economic crises, hunger, conflict and harmful practices.

Plan International Sudan, Save the Children, UNICEF and World Vision Sudan called on all those responsible to stand in solidarity with Sudanese children and assume the collective responsibilities of leaving no child behind. on the occasion of the International Day of the African Child.

International organizations added: “We are deeply concerned that the deteriorating economic situation in the Sudan, persistent conflicts, growing hunger and the global impact of climate change, together with the extended nutrition and water crises, will erase the gains made through our activities centred on children’s issues in recent years. For too many children, the Sudan remains a very difficult place to give birth and grow up in”.

Aid agencies estimated that this year 2022, 14.3 million people across the Sudan will need humanitarian assistance, nearly 8.2 million of those in need of humanitarian assistance are women and girls and 7.8 million are children.

The organisations explained: “Three million children under the age of five are currently suffering from acute malnutrition, of which 650,000 are suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Without any treatment, about half of those suffering from severe acute malnutrition will die. Every year, 78,000 children under the age of five continue to die of preventable causes, a figure estimated to rise significantly if investments in the health sector are not increased. “

She went on to say: “Children, especially young and adolescent girls, are subjected to conflict, violence, abuse, exploitation and outrageous practices, such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. About 31% of girls aged 10 to 14 were subjected to FGM, and 38% of girls aged 15 to 18 were married before the age of 18.

Children living and working on the street and migrant children face serious challenges in accessing basic services. “

The organizations revealed that, in the Sudan, 3.6 million children are out of school, and 8.1 million children in schools are adversely affected by school closures. Approximately 17.3 million people do not have access to basic drinking water, while 24 million do not have access to adequate sanitation.

She said: “As humanitarian and development agencies, we appeal to the international community to increase humanitarian assistance and expand support for life-saving services and development in the Sudan. called upon us to emphasize that we provide social protection to individuals and families, especially the poor and vulnerable, to cope with crises and shocks, in order to protect the future of children in the Sudan “.

The organizations urged the Sudanese authorities to prioritize the protection and well-being of children, in addition to protecting their families, particularly within the most vulnerable communities in the country’s conflict-affected areas.

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