Save the Children warns that roughly three babies are being born every minute into the devastation of Sudan’s war, with official figures showing about 5.6 million births since April 2023. Collapse of health services — up to 80% of facilities non-operational — and rising maternal mortality (from 263 to 295 per 100,000) are placing mothers and newborns at acute risk. The UN calls the situation the world’s worst humanitarian crisis as some 12 million people are displaced and verified attacks on health facilities have killed thousands.
Save the Children: Three Babies Are Born Every Minute Into Sudan’s Devastating War
Save the Children says widespread violence, attacks on civilian infrastructure and the collapse of essential health services place millions of mothers and newborns at risk [File: Mohamed Zakaria/MSF via Reuters]
Save the Children warns that roughly three babies are being born every minute into conditions "no child should ever face" as the conflict in Sudan enters its third year. Official figures show about 5.6 million births since the war began in April 2023 — roughly 5,000 children a day — many arriving amid collapsing health services, displacement and acute food shortages.
Maternal and Newborn Care Under Siege
Widespread violence and repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure have crippled Sudan’s already fragile healthcare system, placing millions of mothers and newborns at grave risk. Save the Children says up to 80% of health facilities in conflict-affected areas are non-operational. Facilities that remain open face shortages of supplies, medicine, staff and fuel.
"These children are born in overcrowded shelters, under-equipped or damaged health facilities, or while their families are on the move," said Mohamed Abdiladif, Save the Children’s country director in Sudan. "Children have a right to receive care and protection, even in conflict."
Scale of the Crisis
The fighting, which began on 15 April 2023 after clashes between Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, has killed tens of thousands and displaced roughly 12 million people. The United Nations describes the situation as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
The maternal mortality rate has risen by more than 12% — from 263 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 to 295 per 100,000 in 2025 — reflecting deteriorating maternity care and access. The World Health Organization has verified about 200 attacks on health facilities since the war began, incidents that have killed more than 2,000 people.
In March, a drone strike on Al‑Daein Teaching Hospital in East Darfur killed at least 64 people, including 13 children and several healthcare workers, and rendered the hospital nonfunctional.
Calls For Protection And Humanitarian Access
Save the Children and other aid agencies urge all parties to protect civilians, halt attacks on healthcare and allow unhindered humanitarian access so lifesaving care, food and supplies can reach families in urgent need.
Key figures: ~5.6 million births since April 2023; ~3 babies born per minute (≈5,000/day); ~12 million displaced; maternal mortality up to 295 per 100,000; up to 80% of facilities non-operational; ~200 verified attacks on health facilities.
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