Sudanese Conflict Kills Or Maims 245 Children In First Quarter 2026
Image: unicef.ch

Sudanese Conflict Kills Or Maims 245 Children In First Quarter 2026

15 April, 2026.Africa.14 sources

Key Takeaways

  • 245 children killed or maimed in the first 90 days of 2026.
  • Jan-Mar 2026 saw a 50% surge in child casualties.
  • UNICEF warns ongoing, escalating crisis severely harming children amid three-year war.

Child Casualties Surge

UNICEF reported a 50% surge in child casualties in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year.

At least 245 children were killed or maimed between January and March.

Image from Al Jazeera
Al JazeeraAl Jazeera

Drone strikes accounted for nearly 80% of all reported child casualties.

More than five million children have been displaced.

The United Nations has verified more than 5,700 grave violations against children since the conflict began.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate rapidly.

Large areas of the country remain inaccessible to humanitarian agencies.

Image from Al-Jazeera Net
Al-Jazeera NetAl-Jazeera Net

Famine has been confirmed in Al Fasher and Kadugli.

An estimated 4.2 million children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition in 2026.

At least eight million children are out of school.

Funding Shortfalls Hamper Aid

As of March, only 16% of the required funding has been secured.

Without urgent support, critical programs risk being scaled back.

Nearly 34 million people require humanitarian support.

Sudan is the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

Sexual Violence Epidemic

The war has made Sudanese women the first victims.

More than 1,800 rapes have been recorded between April 2023 and October 2025.

Image from Dabanga Radio TV Online
Dabanga Radio TV OnlineDabanga Radio TV Online

87% of rapes are attributed to the Rapid Support Forces.

The ICC has opened an investigation into war crimes.

Survivors spoke of rapes carried out by mercenaries from multiple countries.

More on Africa