Sudan: ‘Children must be safe everywhere,’ says UNICEF as fear grows over El Fryer
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric remind journalists in New York during a routine noon briefing that starvation conditions had been confirmed at the Zamzam camp for displaced persons, just outside the city, “and we think other camps in the area There may also be a famine.”
El Fryer is the last city in Darfur held by the national army and has been fighting its powerful rival Rapid Support Forces militia for control of the country since last April.
According to the United Nations children’s agency, atrocities continued to be reported elsewhere in North Darfur state, as at least 13 children were killed and four others injured in airstrikes in Al Kuma today. Friday. UNICEF.
This violence, coupled with widespread disease outbreaks, is putting millions of Sudanese children in grave danger, the agency said. said in a news release on Sunday.
A country in crisis
As the conflict approaches the 18-month mark, with more than 10 million people displaced – half of them children, UNICEF is stepping up efforts to protect children and provide urgent humanitarian assistance.
The conflict has destroyed the country’s infrastructure, disrupted basic services and left millions in need of humanitarian assistance.
Deadly Friday in Darfur
The children killed and injured on Friday were between 6 and 17 years old.
“Attacks on children are unacceptable. Children have no role in war or civil conflictBut children are the ones suffering the most as the conflict in Sudan is increasing,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative in Sudan.
“Children need to be safe everywhere, in their homes, neighborhoods and on the streets.”
Violence increased
The tragedy at Al Kuma is not an isolated incident. UNICEF has received further reports of civilians killed and injured in Melit, North Darfur state. Since the start of the conflict, more than 150 schools and hospitals have been attacked, with health centres, water stations and markets damaged and destroyed, further compromising the well-being of the population Sudanese youth.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric reported on the escalating situation: “In just the first few days of October, tens of thousands of people were displaced across Sudan due to fighting. This includes in North Darfur, West Darfur and Sennar states, where airstrikes, clashes between rival forces and insecurity near villages and markets have displaced up to 42,000 people, both in Sudan and across borders.”
“As the conflict continues unabated, we fear this terrible pattern will persist”, Mr. Yett said. “Thousands of children and families are trapped in areas of violence, insecurity and lack of protection. Continued violence and disregard for the safety and rights of children must end.”
The health crisis increases conflict
The ongoing violence not only directly harms children but also creates favorable conditions for the spread of disease. Sudan’s already fragile healthcare system has been pushed to the breaking point, exacerbating weaknesses in sanitation and hygiene infrastructure. Simultaneous outbreaks of cholera, dengue fever, malaria and measles are affecting at least 12 of Sudan’s 18 states, posing additional risks to children’s health and well-being.
“As of Saturday, 21,000 cases of cholera have been reported in the past two months, including more than 600 deaths due to cholera,” Dujarric said.
UNICEF’s vaccine boost
To respond to these complex threats, UNICEF has increased its vaccination efforts. On Saturday, the agency chartered a plane to carry 1.4 million doses of oral cholera vaccine to Port Sudan. This delivery adds to the 404,000 doses UNICEF provided last month.
Vaccination campaigns are also underway, aiming to vaccinate 1.81 million people against cholera in the worst-affected states of Gederef, Kassala and Nile.
UNICEF is also providing essential supplies and support to health facilities while working to restore access to clean water and sanitation in affected areas. The agency said these efforts are important in preventing further spread of the disease and protecting children’s health amid ongoing conflict.
