As the world celebrates Children’s Day, Sudan’s children endure the devastating burden of war.
In the emergency room of the Bashir Teaching Hospital in South Khartoum, a medical team works frantically to save the life of 18-month-old Riyad.
Health workers say the boy’s mother arrived at the hospital in visible distress, overwhelmed by pain and fear.
“I felt an immediate and profound sense of responsibility to save his life,” said Dr. Moeen, a doctor with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), speaking to TRT Africa. “He did nothing to deserve this pain; he was merely born into a war zone, and it’s my duty to maximize his chance of survival.”
On November 20, as the world marks Universal Children’s Day, aid organizations are condemning the continued suffering of children in Sudan and other conflict zones.
“Today is also a time to acknowledge the immense challenges faced by children in our deeply divided, turbulent, and often violent world,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Riyad is one of the millions bearing the brunt of Sudan’s war, which erupted in April 2023 due to disputes over the country’s transition to democracy.
Awoken suddenly by a stray bullet that struck his chest, Riyad’s peaceful moment turned into a nightmare.
“The medical team fought for four hours to stabilize him. Due to significant blood loss, his chances of surviving surgery were only fifty-fifty,” Dr. Moeen added.
A Bullet Lodged in His Chest
While the team managed to stop the bleeding, the bullet remained lodged in Riyad’s chest.
Bashir Teaching Hospital, one of the last operational health facilities in South Khartoum, lacks advanced surgical capabilities.
Since October 2023, MSF has reported systematic blockages of medical supplies, crippling healthcare services in most Sudanese hospitals.
“An 18-month-old boy with a bullet piercing his chest is a haunting reminder of the innocent lives shattered by war. Amid the chaos, with limited resources, we fought to save him. No child deserves this pain,” lamented Dr. Moeen.
Children Caught in the Crossfire
Khartoum, once a bustling capital, was already a battlefield before Riyad was born.
According to MSF, Riyad is just one of 314 children treated for gunshot wounds, explosions, and shrapnel injuries in 2024 alone.
Children under 15 account for 16% of war injuries treated at Bashir Hospital. In October, a market explosion near the hospital brought over 30 war-wounded civilians in a single day, 12 of whom were children suffering burns and trauma.
“Such cases are common,” said Dr. Moeen. “Fortunately, that little girl survived. Others are not so lucky.”
Rising Challenges
With intensified clashes in the city, hospitals face growing pressure, struggling to treat severe burns and perform complex surgeries as bombing victims surge.
“Despite shortages, insecurity, and destruction, we continue to provide life-saving care to those caught in the crossfire,” Dr. Moeen stated.
In addition to treating war injuries, Bashir Hospital is also witnessing a rise in malnourished children and pregnant women.
Between October and November 2024, over 4,186 women and children were screened for malnutrition, with more than 1,500 suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
“These figures of violence and malnutrition reflect the nightmare people, especially children, endure in Khartoum,” said Claire San Filippo, MSF Emergency Coordinator. “Conflict parties must ensure civilian protection and allow medical supplies to reach all Sudanese hospitals.”
Global Calls for Ceasefire
As calls for a ceasefire grow, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need to protect children:
“On Universal Children’s Day, we celebrate the youngest members of our human family. But today is also a moment to recognize the immense challenges children face in our fractured, turbulent, and often violent world.”
Sudan’s war has displaced over 11 million people, creating one of the world’s largest displacement crises.
