Rédaction Africa Links 24 with umajulius
Published on 2024-03-19 08:11:25
In a devastating report released on March 18, 2024, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Children highlighted the dire situation facing 24 million children in Sudan. These children are at risk of experiencing a generational catastrophe, with their fundamental rights to life, survival, protection, education, health, and development being severely violated.
The conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has resulted in widespread attacks on civilians and civilian objects. Tragically, many of those killed in the conflict are children, highlighting the devastating impact of the violence on the most vulnerable members of society.
Reports of ethnically motivated killings, rape of civilians (including children), denial of humanitarian access, and violations of international law have further exacerbated the crisis in Sudan. As a result of these violations, 24 million children are at risk, with 14 million in urgent need of humanitarian support, 19 million out of school, and 4 million displaced. UNICEF has called this the largest child displacement crisis in the world.
Furthermore, UNICEF has identified 3.7 million children in Sudan as acutely malnourished, with 730,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition. The lack of access to basic necessities such as food and clean drinking water has created appalling conditions for these children. Additionally, the severe shortage of medical supplies has led to a lack of healthcare services, putting the lives of tens of thousands of children at risk.
The situation is further compounded by the use of children in armed forces in Sudan, particularly in Darfur and Eastern Sudan. The closure of schools has exposed children to risks of sexual exploitation and trafficking, further violating their rights and putting them in danger.
The Committee on the Rights of Children has urged Sudan to immediately put an end to these grave violations of children’s rights and stop recruiting children to the armed forces. The Committee emphasized the importance of fulfilling commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and cooperating with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission in Sudan to end impunity for crimes against children and civilians.
It is essential for Sudan to take urgent and necessary measures to protect the rights of children, provide access to humanitarian aid, and work towards restoring peace and security in the region. The international community must also increase funding and support to ensure the well-being and safety of the millions of children affected by the conflict in Sudan.
Read the original article on Sudan Tribune
