Sudan War Leaves Hundreds of Children Dead or Injured as Violence Escalates

KHARTOUM, July 6, 2026 - At least 330 children have been killed or injured across Sudan during the first half of 2026 as intensified fighting, drone strikes, and artillery attacks continue to devastate civilian areas, deepening the humanitarian crisis affecting the country’s youngest population. The worst impacts have been reported in Darfur and Kordofan, where ongoing clashes have exposed children to increasing risks from attacks on residential areas and essential infrastructure. In North Kordofan, more than 35 children have reportedly been killed or injured since May alone, including 18 deaths. The victims included children between two months and 17 years old, with drone strikes accounting for a significant share of the reported casualties. The growing use of drone warfare has transformed the nature of the conflict, with attacks increasingly reaching civilian neighborhoods, homes, markets, and public spaces where children and families seek safety. Beyond the immediate loss of life, the war has severely damaged schools, hospitals, homes, and water systems, leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians vulnerable to worsening humanitarian conditions. Children are also facing long-term consequences from the conflict, including psychological trauma, displacement, the risk of recruitment by armed groups, abduction, and sexual violence. Humanitarian organizations have called on all parties involved in the conflict to protect civilians, stop attacks on essential infrastructure, and guarantee safe access for emergency assistance as violence continues across several regions of Sudan.