Fighting in Sudan: children among the main victims

People gather at the bus station to flee Khartoum during clashes between the Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum, Sudan, April 19, 2023. REUTERS - EL TAYEB SIDDIG

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3 min

As violent clashes continue in Sudan, Sudanese refugees continue to flee to neighbouring countries. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has appealed to neighbouring countries to continue to host refugees fleeing the conflict. In addition, since the first days of the conflict, at least 190 children have been killed and 1,700 injured.

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In Khartoum and Darfur, where fighting is concentrated, children have no safe place to shelter. To illustrate the violence of the fighting in Sudan, UNICEF reports that during the first eleven days of the conflict, at least 190 children were killed in the fighting and 1,700 were injured.

A huge figure and probably far below reality as James Elder, spokesman for UNICEF, explains: "Our information shows that on average, during the first eleven days of the conflict, every hour, seven children were killed or injured ... Seven children every hour... and these figures relate only to children who have been able to join a health centre and have therefore been registered. The real figure is certainly much more dramatic. All the places where children are supposed to be safe like schools, homes, hospitals, well all these places are constantly attacked and are still under attack as I speak. Humanitarians, aid warehouses, convoys, including those of UNICEF, are attacked, looted or destroyed

UNHCR appeals to countries bordering Sudan

Since the beginning of the conflict on April 15 between the regular army and the RSF, more than 100,000 Sudanese have left their country, according to the UN. On Friday 5 May, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees launched an appeal to neighbouring countries to continue to welcome these people fleeing the conflict.

Such appeals are made regularly by UNHCR in the event of very violent clashes and when difficulties are observed at the borders as is currently the case.

"Now we have 123,000 refugees who have fled Sudan for Egypt, Chad, South Sudan but also the Central African Republic. The situation in the country and at the borders is very difficult and chaotic. There have been no problems with access to the asylum system, but there have been problems at the borders regarding the number of people, queues and living conditions at these same borders. This is not a question of closed borders, but countries are encouraged to keep their borders open and allow refugees to pass as quickly as possible," said Matthew Saltmarsh, a UNHCR spokesperson.

More and more women and children arrive in the Central African Republic

In the Central African Republic, after a 72-hour mission to Am-Dafock, a Central African border town with Sudan, UNHCR has nearly 9,000 refugees, mostly women and children. They are supported by the UN body and the Central African government, in terms of food and health.

"To date, we have about 9,700 people who have crossed the border, of whom 6,300 are asylum seekers and 3,400 are returnees, i.e. Central African refugees who have returned. The living conditions of these people are deplorable and difficult. Through registration, we will be able to identify women and children who are separated, children who are unaccompanied, pregnant women and all people with special needs who need special assistance. In addition to this, we are putting in place border monitoring mechanisms to ensure that all comings and goings that are inside the country will also be monitored," said Fafa Attidzah, representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the Central African Republic.

Read also: UNHCR concerned about large influx of Sudanese refugees into Central African Republic

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Read on on the same topics:

• Sudan
• Central African Republic
• Refugees
• Defense
• Humanitarian
• Rights of the child
• UN