UNICEF: Over 300 Children Killed or Injured in Sudan Conflict So Far in 2026
UNICEF reports 330+ children killed or injured in Sudan’s conflict during early 2026.
Why it matters: The high child casualty toll underscores the risks for civilians and stresses the legal challenges facing humanitarian groups protecting children amid conflict.
- At least 330 children killed or injured in Sudan during first half of 2026.
- Darfur and Kordofan regions have highest child casualty numbers.
- Drone strikes caused 60% of child casualties in North Kordofan since May 2026.
- Conflict has displaced 13 million people and left 30 million needing aid.
UNICEF released a grim report detailing that more than 330 children were killed or injured during the first six months of 2026 in Sudan, with Darfur and Kordofan states recording the highest tolls. Since May 2026, North Kordofan has seen over 35 child casualties from drone strikes and other attacks, including at least 18 deaths and more than 17 injuries. Drone attacks alone accounted for 60% of these casualties in that region, UNICEF reported.
Repeated drone strikes and shelling have severely damaged civilian infrastructure such as homes, schools, health facilities, water systems, and markets, straining essential services and interrupting supply routes. An estimated 500,000 civilians remain at risk in and around Al Obeid and throughout North Kordofan.
The broader Sudan conflict, ongoing since April 2023 between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has led to more than 59,000 deaths and displaced approximately 13 million people. The humanitarian crisis has intensified, with over 30 million individuals requiring urgent aid, including children vulnerable to violence, deprivation, and displacement.
Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative for Sudan, highlighted the scale of the crisis: "Children are being caught in a relentless cycle of violence, displacement and deprivation." He noted the lack of safe places for children, who face danger at home, on roads, in markets, and while seeking basic services.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell condemned the violence, stating, "There is no justification for violence against children. It reflects a collective failure by parties to the conflict to protect the most basic rights of children."
The report emphasizes the challenges faced by aid organizations and legal experts working to uphold international humanitarian law and protect children in conflict zones like Sudan.
By the numbers:
- 330+ children killed or injured — UNICEF count in Sudan first half of 2026
- 60% — share of child casualties caused by drone strikes in North Kordofan since May 2026
- 13 million — people displaced by Sudan conflict as of mid-2026
Yes, but: While the report highlights extensive child casualties, details on the parties responsible for drone strikes remain unclear, complicating legal accountability efforts.
What's next: The United Nations Human Rights Council has passed a resolution condemning RSF-led violence and calling for support to refugees, signaling increased international scrutiny and potential legal initiatives.