In Sudan's Blue Nile region, children are increasingly working to support their families due to ongoing displacement, conflict, and economic struggles. Local child-protection officials and activists report that children in the state capital, Damazin, work long hours in markets, often at the expense of attending school. This trend exposes them to risks such as exploitation, violence, and injury. The situation highlights the urgent need for measures to address child labour and provide support to affected families.
Zahraa Ahmed Al-Sanousi, secretary of the Child Welfare Council, attributes the rise in child labour to factors including loss of parents, deteriorating economic conditions, and ongoing conflict. She emphasizes that tackling the problem requires a deeper understanding of its causes, stronger child-protection measures, and a safe environment for children. The council works with social workers to provide guidance and support to children, identifying alternatives to work. However, Al-Sanousi notes that the council faces limited funding and resources, with reduced donor support due to the war.
The industrial area of Damazin has a high concentration of working children, with some involved in hazardous activities such as chopping firewood and operating wood-processing machinery. These activities have resulted in serious injuries, including cases where children have lost limbs. Al-Sanousi calls on humanitarian organizations and partners to increase their support for child-protection programmes, which are crucial in addressing the issue.
Zahraa Ali Abdullah, a child-friendly-space supervisor and child-protection activist, stresses that more support is needed for children at greatest risk. She advocates for programmes to address school dropouts and help children return to education. Abdullah notes that the war, displacement, and economic crisis have made it difficult for families to provide basic necessities, leading some children to work to support their households.
A child interviewed by Radio Tamazuj shares his experience of working to support his family, stating that he is responsible for his siblings and uses his earnings to buy essential household items. He engages in various casual jobs, such as collecting empty bottles, washing cars, or working in markets, to earn money for his family. This account illustrates the difficult choices children face in the region.
The situation in Blue Nile is further complicated by ongoing displacement and humanitarian pressure. The International Organization for Migration reports that nearly 100,000 people have been displaced within the state between January and August 2026, with children accounting for 47% of those displaced. The region has been affected by armed conflict for over a decade, with fighting between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) beginning in 2011.
The wider conflict that began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has further destabilized the region, with fighting also involving the SPLM-N. Humanitarian organizations and authorities face significant challenges in addressing the needs of affected families and children.
Key points
- Child labour in Blue Nile is driven by displacement, conflict, and economic hardship.
- The Child Welfare Council and other organizations are working to address child labour, but face limited resources.
- Authorities and humanitarian organizations are urged to increase support for child-protection programmes.
