Children as young as one year old have been sexually assaulted by armed men fighting in Sudan's civil war, with the UN children's agency reporting that sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war.
Unicef said 221 children, both boys and girls, have been raped since the beginning of last year, according to information compiled by service providers for survivors of gender-based violence in Sudan. Another 77 children were victims of attempted rape or other forms of sexual violence.
In a report released on Monday, the UN agency said the attacks involved armed men breaking into homes and ordering families to hand over their children, before assaulting girls in front of their family.
Victims suffered serious injuries including fractures, abscesses and other complications, Unicef said. "No person, no child, should have to endure these horrors," the report added.
Sudan has been locked in a civil war since April 2023, with the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces battling for power in a conflict that has created what the UN calls the world's largest humanitarian catastrophe.
The war has killed tens of thousands, forced more than 12 million people to flee their homes and left about 26 million – more than half the population – facing acute hunger, with pockets of famine surfacing.
The Unicef report did not identify either the Sudanese army or the RSF as the perpetrators of sexual violence. Human rights groups say atrocities have been committed by both sides.
The UN agency said the sexual assault of children was far more widespread than the cases documented. About 66 per cent of survivors were girls and the remainder boys. Cases were reported in nine of Sudan's 18 states.
"These figures provide only a partial picture of the true magnitude of violence inflicted against children," Unicef said.
Victims are often unwilling to report sexual violence due to stigma, fear of retribution from armed groups or being ostracised by family, it added.
Unicef executive director Catherine Russell said such behaviour by armed fighters should "shock anyone to their core and compel immediate action".
"Millions of children in Sudan are at risk of rape and other forms of sexual violence, which is being used as a tactic of war," she added. "This is an abhorrent violation of international law and could constitute a war crime. It must stop."
One adult woman told Unicef she was held by armed men for 19 days in a room with other women and girls.
"After nine at night, someone opens the door, carrying a whip, selects one of the girls, and takes her to another room. I could hear the little girl crying and screaming. They were raping her," she said.
"Every time they raped her, this girl would come back covered in blood ... They only release these girls at dawn, and they return almost unconscious."
Unicef urged all parties in the conflict to protect civilians, especially children, in line with their obligations under international law.
“Widespread sexual violence in Sudan has instilled terror in people, especially children,” Ms Russell said. “These scars of war are immeasurable and long-lasting."
Many women and girls have been pushed to leave their homes and flee to other cities due to the fear of sexual violence, Unicef said. They often end up in displacement camps or communities with scarce resources where the risk of sexual violence is also high.
One mother said her two teenage girls were kidnapped and held in captivity, subjected to rape by armed men. “I tried with all my might to find my daughters, crying until I became seriously ill from the grief," she said.
"They beat my older daughter so badly that she vomited blood. They wouldn’t feed them, and they would force them to work 24 hours a day, cleaning, ironing and more.”
The girls eventually escaped and fled to another city, where one was taken to hospital for internal injuries and both were found to be pregnant, they told Unicef.
"I hope no girl in Sudan will have to endure what I went through,” one of the daughters said.
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
T20 World Cup Qualifier, Muscat
UAE FIXTURES
Friday February 18: v Ireland
Saturday February 19: v Germany
Monday February 21: v Philippines
Tuesday February 22: semi-finals
Thursday February 24: final
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How to avoid crypto fraud
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LUKA CHUPPI
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3 out of 5 stars
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
