In the state of El Jezira in Sudan over the past week, due to the exacerbation of violence, at least 10 children have died, said the Director General of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Katherine Russell.
In a written statement, Russell expressed deep concern to the situation, emphasizing the increase in the number of attacks on children and family. She also noted that reports of mass murders, sexual violence against women and girls, as well as the looting of residential areas are serious concern.
“Over the past week, at least 124 people were killed in El Gazir, among whom there were at least 10 children, some of whom were barely 10 years old. 43 more children were injured,” Russell said.
The head of the UNICEF emphasized that there are shocking reports on cases of sexual violence against 13-year-old girls, as well as about the detention of minors.
“these events are part of a large -scale humanitarian catastrophe, as a result of which thousands of children died or were injured, more than 11 million people became forced immigrants, and millions were under a serious threat,” Russell said.
She called on the parties to the conflict to comply with the norms of international humanitarian law and emphasized that the world community should not remain aloof from the tragedy in Sudan. It is necessary to immediately take measures to ensure the safety of children in this region, added Russell.