New York, 16 February 2026 – Sudan’s children are living through one of the most devastating protection crises in the world. If the conflict started more than three years ago, the consequences for children are likely to last a lifetime.

Last year, children continued to be recruited and used, abducted, killed, maimed, or fallen victims of sexual violence. Grave violations1 against children in Sudan have remained alarmingly high in 2025, with more than 1,850 verified cases. Over 1,300 children were killed or maimed—many by shelling, bombardment, mortars and rockets, explosive remnants of war, and remote-controlled improvised explosive devices. More than 190 children were victims of rape and other forms of sexual violence, and the United Nations has received many more reports of sexual violence in El Fasher and across the Kordofan regions, with harrowing testimony of gang rape and other sexual violence against girls. Children were further observed being used to operate checkpoints. There were also over 100 attacks on schools and hospitals.

These numbers are chilling. Yet, the reality is that the true scale of violations is far higher than what we can verify, as monitoring and documenting grave violations in Sudan has become extraordinarily difficult. Access restrictions, security threats, limited internet and telecommunications, attacks on UN personnel, fear of reporting and stigma all impede the UN’s ability to document cases. These obstacles cause delays and significant underreporting.

I urge all parties to immediately end hostilities, prevent violations against children, and grant full, rapid, safe, and unhindered access for humanitarian aid and personnel across Sudan.

Without this, children will continue to pay the highest price.

A peaceful resolution of the conflict is the only sustainable solution to a conflict that is putting a whole generation of children at risk. Engagement must continue, and I welcome the ongoing collaboration of the Sudanese Armed Forces with the United Nations, including the appointment of a high-level focal point to lead the development of an action plan.  I also welcome the Rapid Support Forces’ expressed interest in engaging in an action plan with the United Nations and their appointment of a high-level focal point. This must now translate into rapid, concrete progress for the children. Action plans are not symbolic. They are practical tools to end and prevent violations against children.

I call on the international community to significantly increase support for risk education, victim assistance, and community reintegration programmes. Children injured by explosives, children who have survived sexual violence, and those released from armed forces and groups need long-term, specialized support. Sudan’s children cannot wait. Protecting them must come first.

Their rights are non-negotiable, and their future must be defended with urgency and resolve.

1- The six grave violations identified by the UN Security Council are: the recruitment and use; killing and maiming; rape and other forms of sexual violence; abductions; attacks on schools and hospitals; and denial of humanitarian access.

###

For more information:

Fabienne Vinet, Political Affairs Officer / Communications Officer, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict: vinet@un.org