Basmat gives her one-year-old daughter, Amal, therapeutic food for severe acute malnutrition. “Since we received this food, she started eating a lot and is doing better. I hope my daughter heals and grows up happy.” Basmat.

Since April 2023, civil war has raged in Sudan. It has triggered the world’s largest displacement crisis, with more than 7 million children displaced. What began as a fight for control of the capital Khartoum spread across the country, igniting ethnic violence and relentless attacks on hospitals, schools, and water and power supplies.

Families have fled repeatedly, seeking safety in overcrowded camps and makeshift shelters. Millions lack access to food, clean water, healthcare, and education. Most hospitals and health centres are destroyed or overwhelmed. There are repeated outbreaks of cholera, malaria, and dengue. 24 million people are food insecure, as the conflict has destroyed livelihoods, devastated agriculture, caused food prices to soar, and blocked aid.

Famine has been confirmed in Al Fasher and Kadugli, the capitals of North Darfur and South Kordofan. In Al Fasher 130,000 children have endured brutal violence and extreme shortages of food, water and medicine. More than 89,000 people have fled the city since it fell to the Rapid Support Forces on 26 September 2025. Many have sought safety in already overcrowded settlement sites and host communities in nearby Tawila, stretching food, water, shelter and health services to breaking point.

Children are paying the highest price.

UNICEF is working with local communities and partners to deliver a coordinated response. We are working to meet urgent needs and strengthening essential systems in health, nutrition, water and sanitation, child protection and education. We are providing millions of vaccines, medical supplies, and support for local mobile health teams. Local nutrition centres are being equipped to combat the rise in severe acute malnutrition.

Much of Sudan’s water and sanitation infrastructure has been damaged. UNICEF is working with local partners to repair and provide safe water and sanitation, as well as supply personal hygiene kits for adolescent girls and women.

Children and families in Sudan need urgent protection and humanitarian aid. Donate to our Sudan appeal today