61 Organizations Call for Safe Environment to Resume Education in Sudan Amid Ongoing Disruptions

Amid the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan, 61 organizations have called for creating a safe environment to resume education in the country. The organizations are urging the Sudanese authorities to ensure the protection of students, teachers, and educational facilities, and to facilitate the resumption of educational activities that have been severely disrupted by the ongoing political and security situation.

The brutal conflict in Sudan, which started on April 15, 2023, has torn the country apart, causing widespread destruction and displacement. The fighting between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has led to reports of atrocities, including killings, displacement, and rape, particularly in the capital Khartoum and the western region of Darfur.

The conflict has also severely disrupted food production and distribution, leading to a potential famine and mass starvation. The situation in Darfur is particularly dire, with the RSF and allied militias accused of widespread sexual violence and ethnic attacks on African tribes.

Why this matters: The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with over 25 million people in need of assistance, 8.6 million people displaced, and the threat of famine looming. The disruption of education further exacerbates the long-term consequences of the conflict on the country's future generations.

The memorandum submitted by the 61 Sudanese organizations highlights the devastating effects of the war on the education sector. Public institutions, schools, and education departments have been damaged, and over 350,000 public education workers are facing deteriorating conditions. The memo states that about 3 million students in grades 1-3 are at risk of reverting to illiteracy due to the prolonged absence from school, and a large number of schools have been destroyed or converted into shelters for internally displaced persons.

The organizations are calling for a safe environment to resume education, emphasizing the importance of providing a secure and conducive environment for students to continue their education without fear of violence or harm. They are urging all warring parties to immediately stop the war to allow for the resumption of the educational process and the coordination of efforts to create a safe environment for students and educators.

The international community has provided limited support, with the UN humanitarian campaign only receiving about 5% of the $2.7 billion needed to provide aid to 24 million people in Sudan. Humanitarian organizations are working tirelessly to provide lifesaving aid, but they face challenges of access and lack of resources.

In a statement, one of the organizations emphasized the urgency of the situation: "The conflict in Sudan has led to unprecedented levels of suffering, with over 8 million people forced to flee their homes and 18 million facing acute food insecurity. The crisis demands immediate action, including a ceasefire, civilian protection, and unimpeded humanitarian access."

Key Takeaways

• 61 organizations call for safe resumption of education in Sudan amid conflict.
• Brutal conflict has caused widespread destruction, displacement, and threat of famine.
• Over 350,000 public education workers face deteriorating conditions, 3M students risk illiteracy.
• Organizations urge warring parties to stop war to allow education resumption.
• UN humanitarian aid campaign receives only 5% of $2.7B needed to assist 24M Sudanese.