Rebuilding childhood under rubble
UNICEF supports children and families returning to Khartoum
After more than two years of conflict and displacement, families are gradually returning to Khartoum- to destroyed homes, damaged schools, broken water systems and a severe lack of basic services.
The places children once enjoyed are now in ruins.
Streets where they once played are unsafe.
Classrooms are filled with shattered windowpanes and dusty furniture after months of bombardment.
At the same time, disease outbreaks- including dengue, malaria, cholera and diarrohea- continue to threaten children’s lives every day.
As families return, UNICEF is on the ground with partners, supporting the restoration of essential services so children and their families can settle back safely.
This is how.
SAFE SPACES FOR CHILDREN
Almost every child in Sudan has experienced violence — directly or indirectly. For many returning families, the psychological impact of the war remains deeply visible.
“I wish the bombing never returns,” said Rabab, 5.
At the Saleh Jameel Child-Friendly Space, Rabab can play, draw and paint — and feel like a child again. She never misses a day since the centre opened.
“I love playing and drawing,” she said.
“Every day I come here to draw and skip the rope.”
In Khartoum, UNICEF-supported Child-Friendly Spaces serve as integrated hubs for child protection. They provide psychosocial support, learning and recreation, as well as access to specialised services such as gender-based violence prevention and explosive ordnance risk education. To date, more than 900 children have been reached.
DIGITAL LEARNING
Eleven-year-old Hussein lost his leg during the war. He did not lose his love for learning — or football.
At the digital learning centre in Khawla Bint Alazwar School, Hussein joins his peers to catch up after years of disrupted education, while dreaming of a brighter future.
“Despite what happened to me, life has not stopped,” he said.
As millions of children across Sudan remain out of school, UNICEF — with support from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) — is establishing digital learning centres in Khartoum to help children and young people continue their education. So far, 49 centres have been set up, reaching more than 5,000 children across the state.
RESTORING HEALTH AND NUTRITION SERVICES
Naba brings her seven-month-old son, Adnan, to Eid Hussein nutrition site in Jebel Aulia.
Adnan is severely malnourished.
“My son eats and drinks very little. He has no appetite,” Naba said.
“The war has affected us and our children.”
Jebel Aulia is one of the localities in Khartoum State reporting high numbers of severely malnourished children.
As access to much of Khartoum improves, UNICEF has reactivated and expanded nutrition services across the state. Through 141 nutrition sites — including Eid Hussein — more than 460,000 vulnerable children have been reached with lifesaving care, including ready-to-use therapeutic food.
Adnan is now enrolled in the nutrition programme.
“The health workers have taken good care of my child,” Naba said.
Helping families return — safely and with dignity
With more than one million people returning to Khartoum, UNICEF — with support from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), the Government of the United States of America, and the United Kingdom Government through FCDO — is restoring critical health, nutrition, protection and education services for children and families.
Rebuilding Khartoum also means rebuilding childhood — safely, with dignity, and with hope.
