No child safe in Al Fasher - UNICEF

NEW YORK, 29 October 2025 –UNICEF is gravely concerned by the images and reports coming from Al Fasher, in the Darfur region of Sudan.

The escalating violence has left thousands of children, already besieged for more than 500 days, further trapped amid relentless shelling, heavy fighting, and severe shortages of food, safe water, and medicine.

“No child is safe,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “While the full scale of the impact remains unclear due to widespread communications blackouts, the estimated 130,000 children in Al Fasher are at a high risk of grave rights violations, with reports of abduction, killing and maiming, and sexual violence.”

There are also reports of humanitarian workers being detained or killed.

UNICEF is calling for an immediate ceasefire to stop the violence, safe, unimpeded humanitarian access, the protection of civilians, especially children, and guaranteed safe passage for families seeking refuge, in line with international humanitarian law. Those responsible for violations must be held accountable.

#####

Multimedia materials available here: https://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AM4080FDL1J

For more information, please contact UNICEF UK Media team at [email protected] or 0208 375 6030.

About UNICEF 

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.

United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).

For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.