UNICEF Condemns Deadly Attack on Displaced Families in Sudan’s Al Fasher

A brutal attack on the Dar al-Arqam Displacement Centre in Al Fasher, North Darfur, has left at least 17 children dead—including an infant only seven days old—and 21 others injured, according to reports confirmed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The assault, which took place early yesterday morning, targeted a facility housing families already displaced by the ongoing war, deepening the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Sudan.

“This devastating attack on children and families who were already displaced and seeking safety is an outrage,” said Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director. “Killing and injuring children are grave violations of their rights, and attacks on civilians in places meant to offer safety and refuge are unconscionable.”

A Conflict Without Sanctuary

The assault on the displacement centre is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Al Fasher, a city that has been under siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for more than 500 days. The siege has severely restricted the movement of people and humanitarian aid, cutting off access to food, clean water, and medical care for hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Once a key humanitarian hub in North Darfur, Al Fasher has been transformed into a city under siege, where families live in fear of constant bombardment and where even hospitals and shelters are not spared. The attack on Dar al-Arqam, which hosted hundreds of displaced families, underscores the growing disregard for international humanitarian law and the escalating vulnerability of children in conflict zones.

UN agencies and humanitarian groups have repeatedly warned that the ongoing fighting in Darfur has decimated essential infrastructure, leaving civilians trapped without basic necessities. The situation is particularly dire for children, who now face not only violence but also hunger, disease, and psychological trauma.

Famine and Disease Deepen the Crisis

Several parts of North Darfur are already in Famine, according to the latest assessments by humanitarian organizations. The food security and nutrition situation has reached catastrophic levels, with families surviving on minimal rations. Severe acute malnutrition among children is soaring, and preventable deaths linked to starvation and disease are increasing sharply.

Health centres—already crippled by shortages of medicines, staff, and supplies—are overwhelmed by the influx of injured civilians and malnourished children. In many areas, medical workers operate under dangerous conditions, often without electricity or running water.

The looting of aid convoys, disruption of supply routes, and denial of humanitarian access have made sustained relief efforts nearly impossible. Humanitarian agencies report that some aid shipments have been blocked for weeks, leaving remote communities cut off from lifesaving food and medical assistance.

UNICEF’s Call for Action

In response to the growing crisis, UNICEF is urging all parties to immediately halt hostilities and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. The organization has outlined a set of urgent demands:

1. Immediate cessation of hostilities across Sudan, including the lifting of the siege on Al Fasher.

2. Protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and shelters.

3. Safe passage for civilians—especially children and families fleeing violence—to ensure their protection and dignity.

4. Unhindered humanitarian access for aid organizations delivering food, medical care, and other essential services.

5. Accountability for those responsible for attacks against civilians, particularly crimes that target children.

Despite the extreme risks, UNICEF and its partners continue to deliver lifesaving assistance in Sudan. Their operations include providing vaccines, nutritional support, clean water, and sanitation facilities, as well as psychosocial services for children traumatized by violence.

A Nation in Collapse

Sudan’s conflict, which began in April 2023, has evolved into one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has displaced over 10 million people, according to UN data, pushing the country to the brink of famine and collapse.

Al Fasher, the last major city still under government control in Darfur, has become a flashpoint in the struggle for territory. The ongoing siege has forced thousands of residents to flee to makeshift camps or neighboring states, while those left behind endure daily shelling and shortages of essentials.

The Children of War

Sudan’s children have become the face of this humanitarian catastrophe. Many have lost parents, homes, and schools. An estimated 14 million children are in need of humanitarian aid, including over 3 million who are acutely malnourished. With access routes blocked and hospitals destroyed, thousands more remain at risk of dying from preventable causes.

“Children in Sudan have endured unspeakable suffering,” Russell said. “They deserve protection, not more violence. We must act urgently to bring this war to an end and ensure that every child can live in safety and dignity.”

A Call for Global Solidarity

UNICEF and other UN agencies have renewed appeals for international support and funding to sustain humanitarian operations in Sudan. They warn that without immediate action from the global community, the situation could deteriorate into one of the deadliest humanitarian crises in decades.

The attack on the Dar al-Arqam Centre serves as a tragic reminder of what is at stake: innocent lives, especially those of children, caught in a war they neither chose nor understand.

Until the guns fall silent and humanitarian access is restored, Sudan’s children will continue to bear the brunt of a conflict that has already robbed them of too much—home, safety, and, all too often, life itself.