The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to deepen, with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reporting that at least 330 children have been killed or injured during the first six months of 2026 as fighting between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shows no sign of easing.
Data released by UNICEF indicates that more than 200 children lost their lives while over 100 others sustained life-changing injuries, with the worst-affected areas being the Kordofan and Darfur regions.
The agency warned that children are increasingly bearing the brunt of a conflict that has devastated communities across the country.
“Children are being killed and injured in their homes, on the roads, in markets, and while attempting to access essential services such as education and healthcare”, said UNICEF’s Sudan Representative Sheldon Yett.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 after a fallout between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
Humanitarian agencies estimate that more than 200,000 people have died since the fighting began, while millions have been forced to flee their homes.
UNICEF said the growing use of drone attacks by both sides has significantly worsened the situation.
According to the agency, drone strikes have killed more than 1,000 people this year and account for about 60 per cent of child casualties recorded in the Kordofan region.
The town of El-Obeid in North Kordofan has faced repeated drone attacks in recent weeks, with critical infrastructure, including schools, water systems and electricity facilities, coming under fire.
The United Nations has warned that the RSF could launch a major offensive on the town, placing nearly half a million civilians at risk.
The UN has also expressed concern that El-Obeid could witness violence similar to the October 2025 attack on El-Fasher, where a UN investigation concluded that the atrocities committed bore the hallmarks of genocide.
Warning that the humanitarian situation could deteriorate further.
“Any further deterioration could expose even more children to death, injury, displacement and other grave protection risks,”UNICEF said.
Beyond the violence, millions of children continue to face severe hardship. United Nations figures show that about five million children have been displaced within Sudan, while widespread hunger remains a major concern. More than 825,000 children under the age of five are currently suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
As the conflict drags on, humanitarian agencies are calling for greater protection of civilians, especially children, and renewed efforts to secure safe access for aid workers.
They warn that without an end to the violence and increased humanitarian support, the suffering of Sudan’s youngest and most vulnerable population will continue to worsen.
