Sudan has the world's largest number of internally displaced people
Armed conflict in Sudan has forced five million children and their families to flee their homes. One in five children in the country Internally displaced persons.
Naba, 10, and her mother live with her grandparents in Kassala state, eastern Sudan. Violence in Khartoum June 2023. Nabha now spends her days at Ishargiya Girls School, which has been transformed into a safe learning space, also known as Makanna, where children can learn, play, make friends and receive comprehensive services.
“This is where you wash your hands,” Nava says, showing visitors around. Video TourStudents then have morning assembly and e-learning classes. In the afternoon, students have basketball and other games and activities.
I love Makanna because it helps me forget about the war. There are many different activities and it makes me happy. — Nava, age 10
There is also a psychologist there, who helps the children overcome the trauma they have experienced. “If we have any problems, we go to her,” Nava says. “Some of them used to cry a lot, but now we start talking to each other and we become friends.”
“I love Makanna because it helps me forget about the war,” Nava said. “There are many different activities and it makes me happy.”
Every child has the right to be safe wherever they are
The humanitarian crisis has forced schools in Sudan to close for more than a year. UNICEF's Safe Spaces are providing informal learning opportunities to help children avoid forgetting what they previously learned.
Around 631 children attend Makanna Naba every day, supported by four facilitators and 15 dedicated volunteers. Through e-learning sessions, children are provided with basic reading, writing, mathematics, Arabic and English lessons.
An integrated approach to serving children
With ongoing support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the German Reconstruction Bank (KfW), UNICEF and its partners are running 20 Safe Learning Spaces for around 5,000 children in Kassala.
Across the country, UNICEF is working to scale up an integrated approach that combines education, specialised child protection services and basic assistance. Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) All these initiatives aim to support the holistic development, wellbeing and protection of children, nurturing their physical, social and emotional development.
Digital learning helps children continue their education
Since the beginning of 2024, UNICEF has established 699 safe learning spaces for children in Sudan, 60 of which are: Learn The effort has reached more than 12,660 children, including refugee and displaced children, 54 per cent of whom are girls, in East Darfur, South Darfur, Kassala, White Nile, Blue Nile, Red Sea, River Nile and Northern States.
Between January 2024 and June 2024, UNICEF will: 2.1 million children and their guardians Providing psychosocial counselling, learning and protection support to people affected by the war in Sudan.
Find out more about how UNICEF is delivering humanitarian assistance to children and families affected by conflict in Sudan and other crises.
UNICEF is providing emergency assistance to children in Sudan, but more is needed. Your donation will make a huge difference. Please donate today.
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This story is adapted from unicef.org