Children are bearing the brunt of Sudan's relentless conflict, with stark reports indicating they comprise 16% of war-injured patients treated at Bashair Teaching Hospital in Khartoum since the beginning of 2024. This alarming statistic has emerged as the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, driven by rampant violence and increasing malnutrition among the youth.
Faced with the harsh realities of war, many youngsters are arriving at hospitals with severe injuries, including gunshot wounds and shrapnel injuries. Dr. Moeen, the medical team leader at the hospital, shared the heartrending case of 18-month-old Riyad, who was struck by a stray bullet as he napped peacefully at home. “The medical team fought for four hours to stabilize him. Due to the heavy loss of blood, the chances of him surviving the surgery were fifty-fifty,” he recalls. While still alive, Riyad has the bullet lodged deep within his chest, with no clear path for future treatment due to the hospital's limited resources and the blockade of medical supplies.
The Bashair Teaching Hospital, one of the last functional medical facilities remaining in southern Khartoum, has treated over 4,214 trauma patients this year alone, with children constituting 16% of these cases. Conflict incidents have left many children severely injured, showcasing the urgency for humanitarian aid.
Incidents of mass casualties have become alarmingly common. Just last month, following a market explosion, over thirty war-wounded patients were brought to Bashair Hospital within hours, twelve of whom were under the age of fifteen. Many suffered traumatic wounds, and the situation continues to spiral as medical staff struggle to cope with the rising demand. To add to the challenge, shortages of medical supplies mean treatments for severe burn injuries are impossible. This is especially concerning as civilians increasingly fall prey to bomb blasts.
The reports indicate the situation extends beyond just physical injuries. There has been a devastating spike in acute malnutrition, particularly among the area’s vulnerable children and pregnant women. Between mid-October and early November, screenings revealed severe malnutrition affecting over 1,500 children.
MSF officials strongly emphasized the dire circumstances: “These figures of violence and malnutrition show the nightmare people, including children, are experiencing in Khartoum,” said Claire San Filippo, the MSF Emergency Coordinator. She calls for all parties involved to prioritize the protection of civilians and allow the unimpeded delivery of medical supplies to hospitals across Sudan.
The challenges faced by medical teams extend beyond the increasing number of war casualties. The frequency of violence orchestrated against medical facilities puts both healthcare staff and patients at risk. Recently, armed assailants entered Bashair Teaching Hospital, opening fire and causing damage to the emergency ward. Thankfully, no MSF staff were harmed, but the emotional trauma lingers. With the safety of medical facilities at stake, MSF has partially suspended operations, continuing only life-saving procedures.
Since the conflict erupted back in April 2023, more than 500,000 individuals have sought medical care through MSF-supported hospitals across Sudan. The organization has mobilized resources and personnel to assist over 12 healthcare facilities amid intense clashes, reflecting the massive humanitarian needs driven by the conflict. The staggering number of displaced individuals now surpasses 11 million, marking one of the largest displacement crises to date.
MSF's reports highlighting the impact of the conflict on children are echoed by independent studies indicating the death toll from the war is actually vastly underestimated. Research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine recently revealed 61,000 deaths recorded from Khartoum state alone, far exceeding prior estimates. Doctors caution this crisis isn’t just one horrendous event but more like numerous simultaneous conflicts, particularly intensifying violence against vulnerable groups across the nation.
Across the globe, similar humanitarian crises remind us how fragile stability is, and the children caught up in conflict zones often pay the highest price. Emerging reports from Sudan reveal the urgent need for international attention, humanitarian intervention, and continued support to help health care facilities provide adequate care to those who need it most. The stories of young patients like Riyad are illustrative of the broader consequences of war on children—a generation left battling the scars of violence.
With humanitarian organizations like MSF striving to deliver assistance amid unbearable circumstances, the question remains: is the world doing enough to protect its most innocent lives caught in the ruthless grasp of war?
