Sudan’s Forgotten Crisis: How New Zealand can lead the way to address the world’s largest displacement of children
Every day there’s a new headline of war, disaster, or political deception. And yet some crises seem to miss the headlines completely. Like Sudan – a country where children are currently facing unimaginable suffering with millions forced from their homes and on the verge of starvation.
As global headlines focus on other crises, World Vision believes New Zealand has a chance to lead the way by intensifying its advocacy efforts and increasing its humanitarian support.
Sudan is currently experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and the largest displacement of children in the world, as outlined in the World Vision latest research report Unprecedented hunger, mental health tragedy, and gender-based violence: The crisis for children and families in Sudan. Despite the alarming scale of mass displacement, hunger, and violence witnessed in Sudan and highlighted in reports like this one, the Sudan crisis remains largely ignored and forgotten by countries like New Zealand.
The country has experienced more than 500 days of civil war and now faces a staggering humanitarian disaster that has disproportionately impacted children, pushing them deeper into terror and despair. World Vision’s report reveals that seven million children are now homeless. Nearly 24million children in Sudan are being deprived of their fundamental rights to life, protection, nutrition, health, and education, jeopardising their individual development as well as the country’s long-term future.
World Vision’s report finds that four million children under the age of 5 are expected to experience hunger by the end of 2024. Furthermore, more than 9 out of every 10 school-age children in Sudan —19 million— are out of school, making this one of the worst education crises globally.
In addition to displacement and hunger, many children are enduring unspeakable horrors, including sexual violence and abduction. Data from the UN shows that in 2023, the number of grave violations against children in Sudan increased by more than 10 times on the 2022 figure. Instead of playing with friends or attending school, the children of Sudan are living in constant fear, grappling with hunger and witnessing unimaginable violence.
But it doesn’t have to be like this. And New Zealand can play a role. We have the opportunity to take a stand against the world’s largest child displacement crisis. We can show that the face of atrocity, we do not turn away – we act.
World Vision acknowledges with appreciation the New Zealand Government’s $4 million contribution to support humanitarian efforts in Sudan, but so much more is needed. We urge the New Zealand Government to ramp up its advocacy and humanitarian support in response to this crisis.
New Zealand has a proud history of standing up for vulnerable communities. Now is the time for the Government to demonstrate its commitment to human rights and global diplomacy and advocate for a ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver life-saving food and nutrition.
World Vision also wants to see the Government urgently increase its funding for humanitarian programmes that prioritise food security and nutritional support in Sudan, with a focus on the most vulnerable — displaced children.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is not just a distant tragedy — it is a global responsibility, and the time to act is now. Every day that passes without stronger action sees more children pushed into the abyss of hunger, trauma, and violence. Sudan’s children cannot wait any longer.
New Zealand has the responsibility and the opportunity to lead by example, ensuring that the voices of the Sudanese people are heard, and their plight is not overlooked. By strengthening its advocacy and humanitarian support, New Zealand will not only uphold its commitment to human rights and its reputation as a compassionate nation but also contribute to make a tangible difference in the lives of millions of children affected by the Sudan crisis.
The future of Sudan and its children depends on it.
As global headlines focus on other crises, World Vision believes New Zealand has a chance to lead the way by intensifying its advocacy efforts and increasing its humanitarian support.
Sudan is currently experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and the largest displacement of children in the world, as outlined in the World Vision latest research report Unprecedented hunger, mental health tragedy, and gender-based violence: The crisis for children and families in Sudan. Despite the alarming scale of mass displacement, hunger, and violence witnessed in Sudan and highlighted in reports like this one, the Sudan crisis remains largely ignored and forgotten by countries like New Zealand.
The country has experienced more than 500 days of civil war and now faces a staggering humanitarian disaster that has disproportionately impacted children, pushing them deeper into terror and despair. World Vision’s report reveals that seven million children are now homeless. Nearly 24million children in Sudan are being deprived of their fundamental rights to life, protection, nutrition, health, and education, jeopardising their individual development as well as the country’s long-term future.
World Vision’s report finds that four million children under the age of 5 are expected to experience hunger by the end of 2024. Furthermore, more than 9 out of every 10 school-age children in Sudan —19 million— are out of school, making this one of the worst education crises globally.
In addition to displacement and hunger, many children are enduring unspeakable horrors, including sexual violence and abduction. Data from the UN shows that in 2023, the number of grave violations against children in Sudan increased by more than 10 times on the 2022 figure. Instead of playing with friends or attending school, the children of Sudan are living in constant fear, grappling with hunger and witnessing unimaginable violence.
But it doesn’t have to be like this. And New Zealand can play a role. We have the opportunity to take a stand against the world’s largest child displacement crisis. We can show that the face of atrocity, we do not turn away – we act.
World Vision acknowledges with appreciation the New Zealand Government’s $4 million contribution to support humanitarian efforts in Sudan, but so much more is needed. We urge the New Zealand Government to ramp up its advocacy and humanitarian support in response to this crisis.
New Zealand has a proud history of standing up for vulnerable communities. Now is the time for the Government to demonstrate its commitment to human rights and global diplomacy and advocate for a ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver life-saving food and nutrition.
World Vision also wants to see the Government urgently increase its funding for humanitarian programmes that prioritise food security and nutritional support in Sudan, with a focus on the most vulnerable — displaced children.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is not just a distant tragedy — it is a global responsibility, and the time to act is now. Every day that passes without stronger action sees more children pushed into the abyss of hunger, trauma, and violence. Sudan’s children cannot wait any longer.
New Zealand has the responsibility and the opportunity to lead by example, ensuring that the voices of the Sudanese people are heard, and their plight is not overlooked. By strengthening its advocacy and humanitarian support, New Zealand will not only uphold its commitment to human rights and its reputation as a compassionate nation but also contribute to make a tangible difference in the lives of millions of children affected by the Sudan crisis.
The future of Sudan and its children depends on it.