More than 22,600 people — nearly two-thirds of them children — have been newly displaced by escalating violence in Darfur, Sudan, seeking safety in remote areas of South Darfur. World Vision’s verification teams warn that the exceptionally high number of children separated from their families signals a rapidly worsening crisis.
Tens of thousands fled El Fasher, the epicenter of the recent crisis in North Darfur, prompting mass movements of civilians into the mountains of Jabel Marra in South Darfur. Local authorities reported that nearly 90 percent of households now settling in Fina Dar Omo camp for displaced people originate from El Fasher and nearby areas, including Zamzam and Shangel.
The verification team documented nearly 200 unaccompanied and separated children who arrived without a parent or caregiver after being separated from their families while fleeing conflict. Many traveled on foot through active fighting, facing threats such as intimidation, exploitation, looting, and exposure to gender-based violence. One caregiver described sheltering a 13-year-old boy who became separated from his family at Zamzam Camp and remained alone during the long, dangerous journey toward East Jabel Marra.
Children arriving from El Fasher are now living in overcrowded, makeshift shelters, often sharing space with multiple families, which makes women and unaccompanied girls and boys especially vulnerable. They lack access to safe drinking water, food, household supplies, warm clothing, and healthcare. Only one out of eight local primary health units are operational. Access to health remains severe; the region reported more than 1,100 measles cases in 2025, with child deaths highlighting their vulnerability, especially among those unvaccinated and already weakened by displacement.
World Vision is urgently appealing for coordinated humanitarian support to provide:
- Safe drinking water and emergency sanitation
- Food assistance and cash support
- Emergency shelter and winterization kits
- Expanded child protection services, including Family Tracing and Reunification
- Health and nutrition services for malnourished and sick children
“The number of unaccompanied children arriving from El Fasher is deeply alarming. These children fled violence alone, and now they face hunger, illness, and exploitation. They have escaped the crossfire for now, but without urgent intervention for food, water, and protection, they remain in danger. Without urgent action, their lives and futures are at serious risk,” said Simon Mane, World Vision Sudan, National Director.
ENDS