3.4 Mln Sudanese Children at Risk of Deadly Diseases

An estimated 3.4 million children under the age of five in Sudan are at risk of life-threatening diseases as malnutrition and conflict push the country’s humanitarian crisis to catastrophic levels, according to Save the Children.

Mohamed Abdel Latif, country director of Save the Children in Sudan, warned that millions of children are facing critical and potentially fatal conditions due to acute malnutrition. He said the ongoing civil war has intensified hunger across the country, with children deteriorating faster than adults because of their higher nutritional needs for growth and their limited energy reserves.

Abdel Latif noted that children suffering from moderate or severe wasting or stunting are approximately 11 times more likely to die from preventable and treatable illnesses under normal circumstances. He added that the collapse of Sudan’s healthcare system, combined with deteriorating water, sanitation and hygiene services, has severely restricted access to lifesaving treatment.

Vaccination coverage has fallen to its lowest level in four decades, leaving thousands of children without basic immunization protection, according to the organization.

Beyond immediate survival risks, Abdel Latif emphasized that malnutrition also weakens cognitive development, mental health and long-term learning capacity. At the same time, protection risks are rising, including family separation, exploitation and violence, particularly as households lose income, services break down and displacement continues.

Access restrictions, disrupted supply chains and ongoing fighting have further worsened conditions, especially in regions such as Kordofan and parts of Darfur. Security threats and bureaucratic obstacles are preventing humanitarian agencies from reaching the most vulnerable communities.