Sudan's War Devastates Children's Futures: Millions Out of School Amidst Displacement and Destruction

Nine-year-old Abkar Mohammed now spends his days polishing shoes on the streets of Port Sudan, a stark contrast to the classroom he should be in. He and his family fled Khartoum after the conflict erupted on April 15, 2023, and due to their financial struggles, Abkar works to support his family, earning a meager amount that barely covers daily needs. While he attends a traditional 'khalwa' to learn the Quran, his formal education has been cut short. His story is representative of the plight of eight million of Sudan's 17 million school-aged children who are currently out of school, according to UNICEF.

In Darfur, a region severely impacted by the war, approximately 80 percent of schools remain closed, leaving 70 percent of children without access to education. Save the Children estimates that Sudanese children have missed an average of 484 days of classroom learning since the war began, a consequence of prolonged school closures, ongoing fighting, widespread displacement, and damage to educational facilities.

The conflict, which began in 2023 between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), has seen accusations of schools and universities being targeted in drone strikes, alongside other civilian infrastructure. In September 2026, a drone attack in North Kordofan destroyed over 330,000 school textbooks and essential learning materials.

Sulaima Ishag, head of the Government Advisory Council for Women and Children, highlighted that children in conflict zones like Darfur and Kordofan face the greatest risk of losing their education permanently. This has dire implications for their future, particularly for girls, who are reportedly experiencing increased rates of school dropouts, child marriage, sexual violence, adolescent pregnancy, and domestic responsibilities, further hindering their educational prospects. The absence of schools as safe havens leaves children vulnerable to child labour, early marriage, recruitment by armed groups, exploitation, trafficking, and family separation, all of which take a significant psychological and social toll, especially on children from impoverished families.

Eva Hinds, UNICEF’s head of advocacy and communication in Sudan, stated that nearly half of all school buildings in the country are no longer functional as classrooms due to war damage. Displaced children, who have often fled multiple times, encounter additional obstacles, as repeated displacement disrupts their learning, separates them from educators and peers, and often leaves them without study materials or a secure place to learn. Children out of school lose access to a vital safe space and are exposed to increased risks of child labour, recruitment by armed groups, and other abuses. Hinds cautioned that extended periods out of school make it increasingly difficult for children to catch up on lost learning, exacerbating existing inequalities and potentially hindering a generation's ability to contribute to Sudan's future peace and development.

Psychologist Hanaa Mohamed noted that prolonged displacement and interrupted schooling have inflicted significant psychological distress on children, leading to constant fear, sleep disturbances, and difficulties concentrating. These pressures also manifest in behavioral changes, such as increased aggression or social withdrawal. The lack of school as a protective environment contributes to the rise in violence and sexual exploitation against children.

Sudan's economy has suffered a 30-year setback due to the war, with 60 percent of the population now living in poverty. Families displaced by the conflict often arrive in new areas with minimal resources, forcing parents to rely on their children for income. Saliha Omer, a tea vendor in Port Sudan, cited financial hardship as the reason her 11-year-old son is working at a grocery store instead of attending school, though she hopes to return to Khartoum so he can resume his education.

Sixteen-year-old Mahmoud al-Ghali has not been to school since the war began when he was 13 and has been displaced multiple times. For the past three years, he has sold sweets and crisps on the streets of Port Sudan to supplement his family's income. Mahmoud recalls his final school days, preparing for intermediate school, a future derailed by the conflict. After moving to Al-Fao in December 2023 and working as a street vendor, he relocated to Port Sudan in July 2025 hoping to earn more to support his family. He buys goods from local shopkeepers and sells them, making a small profit of less than $3 a day. This precarious existence and the financial strain on his family, compounded by the rising cost of living, leave him with little hope of returning to school. However, his two younger brothers have returned to classes in their village in Gaziera State after the SAF regained control of the area. Mahmoud aspires to save enough to expand his small business, acknowledging that circumstances have left him accustomed to working, with his desire for education diminishing, though he remains committed to ensuring his younger brothers complete their studies.