At least three children on average were born into war every minute in Sudan since the conflict erupted three years ago, as widespread violence, repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure, and the collapse of essential health services place millions of mothers and newborns at deadly risk, according to Save the Children.
Analysis of new figures from Sudan’s Ministry of Health shows that around 5.6 million babies were born between April 2023 and April 2026, equivalent to more than 5,000 births per day on average, or at least 3 per minute1. Many of these children were born to displaced mothers in overcrowded shelters or under-resourced facilities, often without electricity, basic equipment, and a lack of skilled medical staff.
Since the beginning of 2026, OHCHR has recorded a sharp increase in drone attacks on civilian infrastructure, with more than 500 civilians reportedly killed between January and mid-March alone. These escalating hostilities have further strained an already weakened health system.
The Maternal Mortality Rate in Sudan has risen by more than 12%, from 263 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 – already one of the highest worldwide – to 295 per 100,000 in 2025, according to the Ministry of Health figures2. Further, the Infant Mortality Rate was estimated by the UN at 42.9 per 1,000 live births in 2024. These increases are linked to disrupted access to emergency obstetric care, shortage of skilled birth attendants, and the widespread collapse of health services due to conflict.
Following the outbreak of conflict in April 2023, an estimated 70% - 80% of health facilities in conflict-affected areas have become non-operational, while those still operational face severe shortages of essential supplies, medicine, staff, and fuel for generators. According to the WHO, more than 200 attacks on health facilities were verified between April 2023 and December 2025, killing nearly 2,000 people and injuring hundreds more, with most casualties occurring in 2025.
Just last month, a drone attack on Ed Dain Teaching Hospital in East Darfur killed at least 64 people, including 13 children, and injured nearly 90 others. It rendered the entire hospital non-functional. The attack destroyed the emergency room, paediatric ward, surgery service, and a stabilisation centre that treats children with acute malnutrition and related medical complications.
The closure of the Chad-Sudan border at the end of March this year, a critical route for medical and nutrition supplies into the Darfur region, is expected to exacerbate shortages of essential medicines, nutrition commodities, and medical equipment.
Mohamed Abdiladif, Country Director for Save the Children in Sudan, said:
"Every single minute of this conflict, three babies are born into conditions no child should ever face. These children are born in overcrowded shelters, under-equipped or damaged health facilities, or while their families are on the move. Children have a right to receive care and protection, even in conflict.
"Attacks on hospitals and other protected civilian areas, which are safeguarded under international humanitarian law, severely and permanently affect mothers’ and newborns’ access to essential care.
"All parties involved in the conflict must ensure the protection of civilians and allow access to reach families in urgent need of assistance. Humanitarian access must be permitted and facilitated to prevent further loss of life.”
Save the Children is calling for immediate international action to end the violence in Sudan, protect healthcare and civilians, and ensure unhindered humanitarian access, as the conflict continues to devastate lives and place an entire generation of children at risk.
Save the Children has worked in Sudan since 1983 and is currently supporting children and their families across Sudan providing health, nutrition, education, child protection and food security and livelihoods support. Save the Children is also supporting refugees from Sudan in Egypt and South Sudan.
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MEDIA CONTACT: media.team@savethechildren.org.au