Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Sudan War Forces 8 Million Children Out of School
A war between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces has made it unsafe for many children to attend school.
Since April 2023, about 8 million children in Sudan have been unable to go to school.
Some children have missed almost 500 days of lessons.
Millions of families have also been forced to leave their homes.
Education Cannot Wait, a United Nations education organization, is providing $22 million to help.
The money will support schools, learning spaces and emotional support for children.
At least 60% of the children helped will be girls, and 10% will be children with disabilities.
Save the Children and Sudanese groups will help run the program.
The goal is to help children feel safe, learn again and recover from the war.
At least 8 million of Sudan’s 17 million school-age children have been out of school since the war began in April 2023.
Education Cannot Wait announced a $22 million multi-year investment to restore safe, inclusive learning for affected children.
The program will support displaced children, refugees and vulnerable host communities, with at least 60% of beneficiaries being girls.
The initiative will provide formal and non-formal education, mental-health and psychosocial support, and safe learning environments.
Save the Children will lead implementation with local partners, while 48% of the budget will go to national and local organizations.
- Who
- Sudan’s children, families, teachers, the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces are affected; Education Cannot Wait, Save the Children and local partners are supporting the response.
- What
- Education Cannot Wait announced a $22 million multi-year program to restore education and provide protection and psychosocial support for children affected by the war.
- When
- The conflict began in April 2023; the aid announcement was reported on August 24.
- Where
- Sudan, including West Darfur, South Kordofan, Gedaref and displacement camps in El Obeid, North Kordofan.
- Why
- The war, displacement and insecurity have forced schools to close and disrupted children’s education and sense of safety.
- Children out of school
- At least 8 million, nearly half of Sudan’s 17 million school-age children.
- ECW investment
- $22 million in multi-year funding.
- Total program requirement
- $39 million; the ECW contribution provides seed funding.
- Internal displacement
- At least 14 million people have been internally displaced since 2023.
- Humanitarian need
- Nearly 33.7 million people require humanitarian assistance.
- Program beneficiaries
- At least 60% will be girls and 10% will be children with disabilities.
- Flexible funding
- An additional $5 million will be reserved for new conflicts, disasters or climate-related emergencies.