Sudan’s children have had their childhood stolen from them. Due to the ongoing crisis in the country, millions of children are suffering right now. Their lives are being torn apart due to hunger, war and having nowhere to go. For someone who is keeping up with the situation there, it can get pretty overwhelming. However, we can’t ignore the fact that something needs to be done to address the situation. In this blog, we will help you understand what the children in Sudan are experiencing, why it matters to everyone and what steps can be taken to give them a better future.
What is happening in Sudan?
Sudan has been struggling for some years now. However, in April 2023, the situation there escalated dramatically, when clashes took place between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the official military of Sudan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group in the country that evolved from Janjaweed militias. Once allies, these two groups are now caught in a power struggle and ordinary civilians and the children of the country have been forced to bear the brunt, with no fault of their own. People’s homes have been destroyed, school buildings are shattered, and hospitals too have been destroyed and are out of service. This has led to a humanitarian crisis that is only worsening with every passing day.
Currently, Sudan has the highest number of children who have been forced to flee their homes. The situation there is very heartbreaking. Millions of children have been displaced since the conflict began. Some have crossed borders into neighboring countries like Chad or Egypt, but some of them still remain in Sudan, moving from place to place in search of safety. Many children have become orphans, having lost both their parents to the violence. This reminds us that these are not just statistics or numbers; children’s real lives are being shattered.
Hunger continues to be a big problem in Sudan. Even before the war broke out, the country had been dealing with high rates of malnutrition. However, now, the situation has gotten even worse as people’s farms have been destroyed, which has led to food supplies being disrupted. Right now, millions of children below the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition. Parents are watching their children starve and waste away helplessly, since there is a lack of resources.
Education has also suffered a lot. According to the United Nations, over 17 million school-aged kids, almost 9 out of 10, are out of school. School buildings have been destroyed or converted into shelters. Since kids are not able to go to school and learn, they are being robbed of an education, a tool that can help them build a better tomorrow. It is difficult to measure the scale of this loss, but the impact of the same can have long-term negative consequences.
Why does this matter?
This crisis is not just about Sudan. It is about basic fairness. The children in Sudan did not ask for the war. They are innocent, and just like children in other parts of the world, they too deserve the right to a normal childhood, they deserve to go to school, learn and play. If we ignore the issues that they are facing, we are giving up on an entire generation, and this hurts everyone.
Think about it. These children are the future of Sudan. If they are sick, injured, uneducated and living in an unsafe environment, this will lead to more trouble in the years to come. Also, if one country is dealing with a crisis of this scale, it also makes the whole world less safe. By helping these children, you are not just being nice; you are making the world a better place for everyone.
The scale of the crisis
Looking at the numbers alone will give you a picture of how bad the situation on the ground is. Millions of children have lost their homes and have been forced to live in camps or makeshift shelters. There is a scarcity of food, clean drinking water and proper sanitation. Many kids are also severely malnourished, due to which there is a risk that their growth could be stunted, or worse. In places where there is a famine, the condition is even worse, as families don’t have access to basic necessities. Having no access to one’s basic needs will negatively impact a child’s life, and they won’t be able to thrive.
Also, since so many children are not going to school, the future of the country is also at stake. Classrooms have been destroyed, and even teachers have been displaced. Tables, chairs, chalkboards and books are nowhere to be found in many areas. This lack of education not only impacts the present, but also the future, as these children may find it difficult to find jobs and contribute to their families and communities in the future.
Health-related challenges are also concerning. Hospitals and clinics have been destroyed, and there is a lack of medical supplies, medicines and staff. Children who are malnourished are susceptible to diseases, and without timely medical care, simple illnesses can turn life-threatening. Problems like illiteracy & lack of medical care, and food have put the lives and futures of Sudan’s kids in danger.
How can your support make a difference?
The situation in Sudan is challenging, but we can all do our bit to help the children in the country. There are some ways in which you could help. You can donate to reliable and vetted organizations or NGOs that are working on the ground to provide food, clean drinking water, medical care and safe shelter for the kids there. You don’t have to donate a large sum of money to help; they just have to reach the right hands.
If you can’t donate, you could also help by spreading awareness about the situation in Sudan. There are a number of crises that are going on in the world at the moment, and it is easy for news about Sudan to get buried amidst those. When you raise awareness, more people get to know about the situation there, and they can come forward to help. Also, this leads to more organizations and NGOs coming forward to help the people there. Awareness leads to real change.
Since many children in the country are unable to go to school, they will be deprived of opportunities in the future, like employment, which could also lead to them and their families suffering financially. You could support NGOs or organizations that are working to educate children in Sudan. Organizations are working hard on the ground and have set up temporary learning centers so that children in Sudan don’t fall far behind.
Additionally, you could also sign petitions or join campaigns where people are advocating for peace. This can push policymakers to prioritize diplomacy. While this is a long-term goal, it is important and can make a difference.
A ray of hope
While the situation in Sudan is bad, there is a ray of hope. Organizations are working hard to provide life-saving aid to those in need. They are offering food, water, medicines, medical care and safe shelters to families. Children are also able to continue with their studies thanks to the temporary learning centers that have been set up. Volunteers who are working on the ground are selflessly risking their lives each day to make sure those who need help get it as soon as possible. All this just proves that when people come together to help those who need the same, a positive change can be brought about. While the road to the same is long and may have challenges, with these steps, we are laying the foundation for something better.
Conclusion
The children in Sudan are suffering a lot. Their childhoods have been stolen, they are unable to go to school, and countless children are sleeping hungry every night and don’t have access to timely medical care. No child deserves to live a life like this. They, too, just like other kids their age, deserve to go to school, play with their friends and live carefree, without fearing for their lives. Through donations, raising awareness, supporting their education or advocating for peace, you can make a difference in their lives. Every action counts. If you want to donate, you can head to equalall and support organizations that are working on the ground to provide life-saving aid to the kids in Sudan. Your support can give them the tomorrow they deserve.