The children in Sudan are not forgotten
Photo: © AFP
Limia Ahmed, Deputy National Director of SOS Children’s Villages in Sudan, shares the profound impact of the country’s prolonged humanitarian crisis on children and families, and how the organization is working to protect and support them under extraordinarily difficult conditions.
How are children and young people, both those supported by SOS Children’s Villages Sudan and across the country, coping with the ongoing crisis?
Children across Sudan are living through one of the most devastating crises in the country’s history. Millions have been forced to flee their homes, and many have lost access to school, healthcare, and safe shelter. Every day, children face growing risks of hunger, disease, and exploitation, while their sense of safety and normalcy continues to wear down. In SOS Children’s Villages Sudan programs, we continue to reach children and families with protection and psychosocial support wherever access allows. Despite immense challenges, our colleagues remain dedicated to ensuring that children in our care are safe, supported, and not forgotten.
How has the conflict affected SOS Children’s Villages Sudan programs, and how are we adapting to continue supporting children and families?
The conflict has deeply affected the abilities of all NGOs to operate, particularly in areas experiencing active fighting. Some programs have had to relocate or temporarily suspend on-site activities, while others continue through local partnerships and remote coordination, which is the approach we are taking at SOS Children’s Villages Sudan. We currently have a proposal to support the displaced people in northern states due to the recent escalations in the Darfur region. SOS Children’s Villages Sudan continues to run education in emergency, alternative care, and multisectoral humanitarian assistance, including digital learning programs that help children continue learning despite displacement. Our teams are adapting daily to changing security conditions to keep essential services running safely.
Are the children and our colleagues from SOS Children’s Villages in Khartoum still in Eastern Sudan?
Our children and staff are currently in the eastern part of the country, where security is relatively better than in other areas, and one of our programs continues to provide psychosocial support, education, and access to health services, as conditions allow and as per the available means or capacities in the state.
How many times have the children and families in SOS Children’s Villages care been forced to flee?
Sadly, children and families under our direct care have been displaced multiple times as the conflict spreads to new areas.
How are the children doing?
The children continue to show remarkable resilience despite everything they have gone through. However, the psychological impact is significant. Many struggle with anxiety, fear, and sadness after losing homes or being separated from their friends and community. SOS caregivers and staff are providing emotional support, structured activities, and stability to help them regain a sense of safety and hope.
How is their physical and mental health?
Access to healthcare remains limited across much of the country, together with the continued spread of disease. SOS Children’s Villages Sudan continues to provide healthcare to children under our care through the available clinics or hospitals in the area. Mentally, children are trying to cope with trauma, uncertainty, and loss. Our teams are prioritizing counselling, child-friendly spaces, and mental health support for both children and caregivers to strengthen their emotional recovery.
Is there an internationally coordinated humanitarian response within SOS Children’s Villages?
Yes. SOS Children’s Villages Sudan is closely coordinating with the regional and international SOS Children’s Villages offices and aligning its response with the humanitarian clusters active in Sudan. Together with other NGOs in Sudan, we are assessing needs and ensuring that children and families in crisis receive timely, coordinated support. In addition, we continue to advocate for the protection of children affected by conflict and for safe humanitarian access across all states.
Which kind of help is most urgent for SOS Children’s Villages Sudan to receive?
The most urgent needs right now are flexible funding and humanitarian support to maintain child protection, psychosocial care, food and nutrition, education, and healthcare. Every contribution, financial, technical, or advocacy, helps us continue protecting the most vulnerable children in Sudan.
Your support matters
Sudan is the world’s largest internal displacement crisis and one of the most severe humanitarian emergencies globally.
More than 30 million people require humanitarian assistance in Sudan, including 4 million children who have been displaced within the country, and hundreds of thousands of children are suffering from severe malnutrition.
The SOS Mayday Emergency Relief Fund enables us to respond swiftly and effectively when children and families are caught in crisis. With your support, we can provide immediate protection, care, and relief, and help communities build resilience against future emergencies.
Please donate today to help us continue this life-saving work. Together, we can help ensure that no child is left behind when disaster strikes.