AMMAN/NEW YORK/PORT SUDAN, 5 December 2025 - Drone strikes in Ghadeer locality, Kalogi, South Kordofan, have reportedly killed more than 10 children aged between 5 and 7 years, inside a kindergarten yesterday.

"Killing children in their school is a horrific violation of children's rights," said UNICEF Representative for Sudan Sheldon Yett. "Children should never pay the price of conflict. UNICEF urges all parties to stop these attacks immediately and allow safe, unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to reach those in desperate need."

The killing and maiming of children, and attacks on schools and hospitals are grave violations of children's rights. These strikes come amid a sharp deterioration in security across the Kordofan States since early November, driving widespread displacement and deepening humanitarian needs. More than 41,000 people have fled escalating violence in North and South Kordofan over the past month.

Civilians remain stranded in dangerous areas with severely restricted humanitarian access, while in South Kordofan famine has been confirmed in Kadugli and similar conditions have been reported in Dilling. Medical services are collapsing, essential supplies are nearly exhausted, and education is disrupted, leaving children without learning opportunities and in severe psychosocial distress.

UNICEF continues to work with partners to deliver lifesaving support, but the scale of needs far exceeds available resources. We call on the international community to step up efforts to protect children and provide urgent assistance.

UNICEF is the world's leading humanitarian organization focused on children. We work in the most challenging areas to provide protection, healthcare and immunizations, education, safe water and sanitation and nutrition. As part of the United Nations, our unrivaled reach spans more than 190 countries and territories, ensuring we are on the ground to help the most disadvantaged children. While part of the UN system, UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations to finance our life-saving work. Please visit unicef.caand follow us on Twitter, Facebookand Instagram.

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