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The current situation for children in Sudan

Sudan is currently grappling with one of the world's most catastrophic humanitarian crises following nearly three years of ongoing conflict, with over 30.7 million people—including 17.3 million children—in urgent need of assistance. Widespread violence has forced 13.6 million people to flee their homes, both within the country and across borders into neighbouring states that are already under significant strain. Those that stay are facing collapsing health systems, rampant disease outbreaks, and systematic gender-based violence. Sudan is now the world's largest displacement crisis.

Children are bearing the heaviest burden of this crisis. Every day, children are being killed and injured as violence continues, and grave violations of children’s rights are being reported across the country. Homes, schools and health facilities have been damaged or destroyed, stripping children of safety, education, care, and any sense of normal life. 

The conflict has devastated families’ livelihoods and their ability to meet even the most basic needs. Many families have lost their jobs, land, livestock or sources of income, while soaring prices have made food and essential goods increasingly unaffordable. As a result, hunger is reaching catastrophic levels. Some parts of Sudan are at risk of famine, and acute malnutrition among children is rising sharply. 

Aid is reaching children in many parts of Sudan, but not at the scale or speed required to meet the level of need. The conflict has created extremely challenging conditions for Save the Children and partner staff, but we continue to deliver programmes and support wherever security conditions allow. To be able to continue our work and increase our efforts, Save the Children is calling for safe, sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access through all possible routes, in line with international humanitarian law. Without improved access and increased funding, children will continue to die from preventable causes.

Four months after our first visit Mozn*, 3, Madina*, 4 in their school uniforms outside their home

Four months after our first visit Mozn*, 3, Madina*, 4 in their school uniforms outside their home in Sudan. Ibrahim Saeed/Save the Children

Save the Children in Sudan

Save the Children has been working in Sudan since 1983, operating in 13 of the country’s 18 states. Many of the children and families we support are among the most vulnerable and hardest to reach. Today, we are one of the largest international NGOs in Sudan, providing a range of services to protect children’s lives and rights. 

After the conflict broke out on April 15, 2023, we had to briefly pause our operations in some of the conflict-affected areas to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff. However, we swiftly adapted our on-going programmes and initiated our emergency response in May 2023 providing integrated health, nutrition, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Child Protection, Food Security, Livelihoods and Education programs across Sudan. 

Despite extreme insecurity, access constraints and the displacement of communities, Save the Children, together with national and international partners, is delivering a large-scale, multi-sector humanitarian response across Sudan and in neighbouring countries hosting refugees. Our response focuses on meeting children’s most urgent needs while protecting their rights and dignity.  

Our impact in 2025

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3.7M

people directly reached with support

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2.7M

children directly reached with support

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3.04M

people supported with health and nutrition services

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315,526

children and caregivers supported through education programmes

Mum Asma looks down at newborn Sara*, 4 days old, sleeping in her arms at mobile clinic, Sudan

Baby Sara* was the first baby born at the health clinic in the IDP Reception Centre in Sudan. Mussab Hassona / Save the Children

News & Stories

1 Jun 2026

SUDAN BRACES FOR WORSENING CHILD MALNUTRITION AS PRE-HARVEST SEASON STARTS

Agriculture accounts for up to 80% of food and income in Sudan, but the conflict, combined with climate pressures, has decimated farming and further declines in cereal production are forecasted ahead of planting starting this month.

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15 Apr 2026

Two brothers injured in airstrike in Sudan feature in animated film on risks of explosive weapons

Two brothers severely injured in an airstrike as they were playing football are the focus of an animated film released by Save the Children on the third anniversary of the conflict in Sudan.

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14 Apr 2026

SUDAN: Three children born into war every minute as maternal deaths rise and health services deteriorate

Three children were born into war every minute in Sudan since the conflict erupted three years ago as widespread violence, repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure, and the collapse of essential health services place millions of mothers and newborns at deadly risk. 

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