Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, addressed the Security Council on Friday, August 7th, 2026, during an informal meeting focused on safeguarding education in Sudan. She highlighted the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on Sudan’s children, stating, “Among everything this war is taking, one of the most significant is the future of Sudan depriving the education of its children.”

Mohammed reported that at least eight million school-aged children are currently out of the classroom, with displaced children, especially those who have fled abroad, disproportionately affected. In Darfur, nearly three-quarters of schools have been damaged, destroyed, or rendered non-functional since fighting began in April 2023. She noted that “five children in every six are out of school, and parents will tell you they would rather keep their children at home than send them to a classroom, because home for them is the only place left where they can keep them safe.”

Since 2024, the UN has verified over 67 attacks on schools and more than 154 instances of military use of schools across Sudan, though the actual numbers are likely higher. Mohammed described these attacks as “frontal assaults on children’s safety and their dignity,” as they lose protective spaces and access to vital services such as school feeding programs, healthcare, and mental health support.

Despite efforts this year by the UN and partners to bring more than a million Sudanese children back into some form of learning, Mohammed emphasized that it is not enough. She concluded, “Sudan’s children have waited 1,210 days for the war to end. They should not have to wait any longer.”

The Deputy Secretary-General called for renewed international action to end the conflict and protect the future of Sudan’s children.

Sources

UN News