News Center- About 11 million people in Sudan (30% of the population) have been forced from their homes, including those displaced before and since the most recent conflict escalated in April 2023.

New figures released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reveal over half of the 11 million displaced (5.8 million) are children under 18, and over one quarter (2.8 million) are children aged under five, showing the world’s largest displacement crisis is rapidly deteriorating for children.

“These small children are uniquely vulnerable, and while displaced many will miss out on early childhood essentials, including vaccinations, clean water, healthcare, nutritious food, and shelter from extreme heat and cold,” Save the Children said in a statement on Wednesday.

More than 2.8 million babies, toddlers and preschoolers are now displaced across Sudan, Save the Children added. “While about half of these children are now living in host communities, the remaining half are living in desperate conditions, with 18% in displacement camps, 16% in informal settlements or out in the open, and 9% in cramped schools or other public buildings. Many of these children are sharing their space with adults they don’t know, and have limited or no access to water and sanitation.”

‘Girls are particularly at risk’

Girls are particularly at risk, with over 3.2 million of the displaced children girls under 18, who face particular threats of sexual violence, rape, or early or forced marriage, read the statement.

“Babies, toddlers, preschoolers – millions of the world’s most vulnerable people are currently living in some of the world’s worst conditions. The world has a duty of care for children and we are failing them,” said Mohamed Abdiladif, Interim Country Director for Save the Children in Sudan. “The situation in Sudan is spiralling out of control and every day more and more lives are put at risk with killings, violence and displacement. This has become one of the world’s most devastating humanitarian crises but the world is not taking notice. We are urgently calling on the international community to take meaningful and urgent political action to address this crisis, for an immediate ceasefire and progress towards a lasting peace agreement.”