Japan Committee for UNICEF
Sudan: UNICEF Update: All Schools Closed, Humanitarian Staff Evacuated
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/5176/2129/resize/d5176-2129-7217c1cfd78f595d1e80-0.jpg&s3=5176-2129-c182008853eb12a31bb9d5ec0d488d9d-600×400.jpg] A Sudanese refugee who fled to Chad on a donkey with his luggage. (Chad, 27 April 2023) (C) UNICEF_UN0834334_Le Du
[From Tokyo on May 1, 2023]
In Sudan, where armed conflict has intensified, the situation remains unpredictable. Below is an excerpt from UNICEF’s latest situation report on the ground.
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Sudan Situation Report (April 25)
overview
Due to the critical deterioration of security across the country, it is extremely difficult to collect information and confirm facts. But as long as the fighting continues, it is certain that children will continue to pay the price. At least nine children are reported to have been killed in the fighting and more than 50 injured in the ongoing hostilities in Khartoum, Darfur and North Kordofan. UNICEF urges all parties not to attack civilian infrastructure critical to children, such as water and sanitation, health facilities and schools.
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/5176/2129/resize/d5176-2129-fb89bc2ed557817dae04-0.jpg&s3=5176-2129-857466144a6e58c5daf8d19674672cdd-533×400.jpg] A Sudanese refugee receives UNICEF aid including mats, blankets, cooking kits, mosquito nets, buckets and soap in a village in Chad near the border with Sudan. (Chad, 29 April 2023) (C)
UNICEF_UN0834908_Le Du
About 270,000 people are expected to flee Sudan to neighboring countries. About 20,000 refugees have already arrived in Chad, and more are expected to arrive. In North Kordofan, 7,500 to 8,000 people, including the most vulnerable children and women, are reported to have fled El Obeid due to escalating violence.
According to the Khartoum State Ministry of Health, 34 hospitals in urban areas were crippled, 16 of them completely non-functional. Fighting has interrupted life-saving treatment for an estimated 50,000 severely acutely malnourished children. These children need
around-the-clock treatment, but the escalating violence puts them at risk of not being able to continue.
Safe access to and supply of food, water, sanitation and other essentials is restricted in most parts of Sudan, and the situation is getting worse by the day. In some regions, the price of basic commodities such as bottled water, staple foods, cooking and motor fuel has risen by 40% to 60%, sometimes more. The widely reported lack of safe drinking water in areas of conflict has increased the risk of water-borne diseases such as cholera, according to the country’s Ministry of Health.
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/5176/2129/resize/d5176-2129-9f6a9376d096f3175be8-0.jpg&s3=5176-2129-ddf7993013f9582e8e9a1d3ff7de9648-600×400.jpg] A Sudanese refugee family receives UNICEF assistance in Aswan. About 16,000 refugees have fled to neighboring Egypt. (Egypt, taken on April 29, 2023) (C) UNICEF_UN0834974_Mostafa
Fighting has undermined Sudan’s main cold chain, jeopardizing vital medicines, including vaccines that save millions of lives and insulin for children. The power supply supporting the main cold chain remains erratic, and backup generators are running low on fuel. Since the beginning of the clashes, 15 attacks on medical facilities have been confirmed.
All schools and educational institutions across Sudan are closed. School closures have a profound impact on the well-being of children, as schools provide an environment that protects them from threats such as exploitation, abuse and forced recruitment into armed groups. Aid agencies such as UNICEF have been looted by armed groups across Khartoum and Darfur. These serious security threats in
conflict-affected areas hamper UNICEF’s humanitarian operations. Since 15 April, five humanitarian workers have died in Sudan. Aid agency personnel have mostly fled Khartoum and Darfur. Some core UN staff remain in Port Sudan, directing humanitarian operations in Sudan from their bases there.
The new humanitarian needs created by this conflict will be
scrutinized and assessed as the situation evolves. Even before the conflict erupted, humanitarian needs across Sudan were already at record levels, with 15.8 million people, about a third of the population, in need of humanitarian assistance.
UNICEF response strategy
UNICEF’s response strategy now focuses on the following key areas: Ensure the safety and security of personnel and civilians.
Prepare to deliver relief supplies (including mapping access, logistics routes and partners) to meet emerging humanitarian needs, including:
Providing health kits and supplies to facilities treating the injured Sustaining essential services such as health care, immunizations and treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM)
Providing access to water and sanitation services
Engage in advocacy to secure and sustain currently limited
humanitarian access and protect children’s rights.
Work closely with UN agencies, international and national NGOs and partners. By doing so, we will be able to make maximum use of understanding the scope and capacity of local activities, sharing information, and working together efficiently and effectively. Note that the current security situation limits the ability of UNICEF and partners to respond to emerging crises.
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■ About UNICEF
UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) is a United Nations agency that works to promote the rights and healthy development of all children. Currently, in about 190 countries and regions*, we are cooperating with many partners and translating this philosophy into concrete actions in various ways. We work for all children,
everywhere, with a particular focus on helping the most vulnerable children. UNICEF’s activities are funded entirely by donations from individuals, companies, and organizations, as well as voluntary contributions from governments. ( www.unicef.org )
*Includes 33 countries and regions where UNICEF National Committees (UNICEF Association) are active
■ About Japan Committee for UNICEF
The Japan Committee for UNICEF is one of the UNICEF national committees in 33 developed countries and regions, and as the only private organization representing UNICEF in Japan, it is responsible for publicizing UNICEF activities, fund-raising activities, and advocating policy proposals (advocacy). ). (www.unicef.or.jp) Details about this release:
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