UNICEF reports that over 12 million individuals in Sudan are at risk of sexual violence amid escalating conflict, with reported cases of child rape and significant hardships faced by civilians. As fighting continues, a call for new standardized measures to ensure the protection of victims and children is emphasized by various speakers at the UN Security Council meeting.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has placed over 12 million individuals at risk of sexual violence, a situation described as “pervasive” by UNICEF. As the conflict nears its two-year mark, UNICEF’s executive director Catherine Russell highlighted in a UN Security Council meeting that the number of people, particularly women and children, facing the threat of sexual assault has surged by 80% in the past year.
Russell revealed that in 2024, 221 cases of child rape were recorded across nine states, including disturbing instances involving very young children. She emphasized, “The data only gives us a glimpse into what we know is a far larger, more devastating crisis,” noting that many survivors hesitate to report incidents due to stigma and fear of retaliation.
At the meeting, emphasis was placed on the dire situation for the 16 million children requiring humanitarian aid due to the ongoing warfare between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This violence, which began in April 2023, has led to widespread civilian destruction, killing tens of thousands and displacing millions.
Between June and December 2024, UNICEF reported over 900 grave violations against children, with most victims being killed or injured in Khartoum, Al Jazirah, and Darfur. The SAF accused the RSF of civilian attacks in el-Fasher, where intensified fighting has led to recent casualties, including young children.
Christopher Lockyear from Doctors Without Borders expressed serious concerns about the lack of protection for civilians, branding the conflict as a war against people. He criticized the UN Security Council’s calls for ceasefires as “hollow,” and declared that while the council makes statements, civilians continue to suffer without adequate protection or support.
MSF has recently halted operations in the famine-hit Zamzam refugee camp due to escalated violence. Sudan’s UN Ambassador claimed the government has a national plan for civilian protection and suggested that Lockyear did not address any issues during a prior meeting. Repeated references to the Jeddah Declaration by Council diplomats highlight ongoing civilian protection commitments, yet Lockyear advocates for a new, actionable plan for Sudan.
The conflict in Sudan poses severe threats to civilians, particularly women and children, as highlighted by UNICEF’s alarming statistics. The rise in sexual violence and the lack of effective action from the international community underscore the urgent need for a robust response to the humanitarian crisis. With ongoing violence and the impact on children, the situation necessitates immediate international attention and action to protect at-risk populations.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
