Sudan: More Than 5,700 Grave Violations Against Children Verified - UNICEF Briefing | United Nations

Briefing by Hannan Sulieman, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, on reports of the Secretary-General on the Sudan and South Sudan. “The violence children face in Sudan extends far beyond the battlefield. Since the conflict began, the United Nations has verified more than 5,700 grave violations against children. More than 5,000 children have been killed or maimed, but the real figure is undoubtedly much higher,” she said. “Children are being killed in their homes. They are being injured while fleeing violence. They are being caught in crossfire, shelling, drone strikes, and attacks using explosive weapons in populated areas. During the first four months of this year alone, nearly 80 per cent of reported child casualties were linked to drone attacks,” Sulieman said. She also flagged the war's impact on education. “Nearly half of Sudan's school buildings can no longer function as classrooms. Today, at least eight million children are out of school. For girls, the consequences are particularly severe, increasing the risks of child marriage, sexual violence, and other forms of exploitation,” Sulieman said.