Context
An armed conflict broke out in Sudan on April 15, 2023, between rival factions of the military government, resulting in clashes throughout the country, particularly in the capital city of Khartoum and the Darfur region. The conflict has already led to the loss of hundreds of lives and left thousands of others injured. Children are especially vulnerable during this crisis, as they experience and witness violence, death, displacement, and separation, and face an increased risk of exploitation, all of which can seriously affect their mental health and well-being. Parents and caregivers are faced with providing care under extremely difficult circumstances, including increased stress and trauma, and limited access to essential services. However, positive parenting could act as a protective buffer for children's mental health and well-being in humanitarian crisis situations.
Our Response
In response to the ongoing crisis in Sudan, our Parenting for Lifelong Health team at the University of Oxford has collaborated with the WHO, UNICEF, and other international organizations to provide support for families affected by the conflict. The team has co-developed resources based on adaptations of materials previously created for the Türkiye Parenting Response, Syria Parenting Response, COVID-19 Parenting Response, the Ukraine Parenting Response, and the Pakistan Parenting Response. These resources consist of 14 open-source, evidence-based parenting tip sheets designed to help parents and children cope during the crisis, including tips for dealing with grief and loss, building children’s strength in a crisis, and protecting children from violence. The resources also include a social- media pack for dissemination. The tip sheets are available in English and Sudanese Arabic and are currently being disseminated to affected families through partner organisations.
Access the resources here
