Sudan – Children were killed and injured in a drone attack on a market in North Kordofan

UNICEF Representative in Sudan, Sheldon Whitt, said in a statement: “This latest attack represents a stark reminder of the horrific toll the conflict continues to take on children across Sudan.”

He added that markets are places where families gather to buy food, earn a living, and meet basic needs. “They should never become places of death and destruction.”

He pointed out that the recent escalation in the city of El Obeid and its environs attracted international attention, but stressed that developments in North Kordofan remain “extremely worrying,” explaining that El Obeid is only part of a broader crisis facing children in Sudan, and that the attack in Al Rahad is a reminder that children in areas that do not receive media coverage remain at risk.

He explained that communities in Dilling and Kadugli in South Kordofan State, parts of North Darfur, and areas affected by the expansion of the conflict in Blue Nile, are still facing severe insecurity, displacement, and increasing humanitarian needs.

Children pay the biggest price

The UNICEF representative said, “Children pay the heaviest price wherever the conflict extends,” adding that repeated attacks not only claim lives, but also cause damage to homes, schools, health facilities, water networks, and markets, depriving children of health care, education, nutrition, safe water, and sanitation services, and pushing more families into displacement.

He warned that these attacks deepen feelings of fear, expose countless children and families to traumatic events, and enhance the state of uncertainty in which they live.

UNICEF also warned that attacks and insecurity on vital supply routes are hampering the movement of humanitarian workers and the arrival of essential aid, while increasing operational risks limit the ability to reach some of the most vulnerable communities.

He concluded his statement by saying: “Every child killed or injured is too many.”

UNICEF called on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian facilities, adhere to their duties under international humanitarian law, and allow safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to children and communities in need.