Save the Children reports that approximately 5,000 children are being born daily in Sudan under dire conditions, marked by widespread violence and a collapsing healthcare system.
The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is creating a catastrophic situation for newborns and their mothers. Save the Children estimates that since April 2023, over 5.6 million births have occurred in Sudan, translating to roughly 5,000 children born each day in a country grappling with severe humanitarian consequences. These children are frequently born in overcrowded shelters, damaged healthcare facilities, or while their families are displaced due to the conflict. Mohamed Abdiladif, Save the Children’s country director in Sudan, emphasized that every child has a right to healthcare and protection, even amidst war. The conflict, sparked by a rivalry between Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, displaced over 12 million people, and created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations. Both sides have been accused of serious human rights violations, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, particularly in the Darfur region. The conflict is severely straining Sudan's healthcare system. Widespread violence has led to a significant increase in maternal mortality, rising from 263 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 to 295 per 100,000 in 2025. A staggering 80 percent of health facilities in conflict-affected areas are currently nonoperational, and those that remain struggle with shortages of vital supplies, medicine, personnel, and fuel. The World Health Organization has documented over 200 attacks on health facilities since the start of the war, resulting in the deaths of more than 2,000 people, including numerous children and healthcare workers. A recent drone attack on the al-Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur resulted in the death of at least 64 people, including 13 children, and rendered the entire hospital unusable. Save the Children stresses that attacks on healthcare facilities have “severely and permanently” reduced access to essential care for mothers and newborns. The organization calls on all parties to protect civilians and guarantee access to humanitarian aid for those in urgent need.
✨ This report was generated by AI News Assistant.
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