UNICEF confirms: No child is safe in El Fasher

29 October 2025 (PEN) UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warned that an estimated 130,000 children in El Fasher are at risk of serious human rights abuses, amid reports of abduction, killing, mutilation and sexual violence, and stressed that "no child is safe" in the capital of North Darfur.

UNICEF expressed concern in a statement issued Wednesday about the images and reports coming from the Sudanese city, adding that children, already trapped for more than 500 days, are even more trapped "amid ongoing bombardment, heavy fighting, and severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine."

The organization also noted reports of the arrest or killing of humanitarian workers.

UNICEF reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, protection of civilians, especially children, and a safe passage for families to leave, in accordance with international humanitarian law. It stressed the need to hold those responsible for violations accountable.