(ANS – Khartoum) – Three years after the outbreak of conflict in Sudan, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, and millions of children still lack access to education. With international attention focused elsewhere, the Salesians of Don Bosco, who were forced to leave the country at the height of the fighting, are now resuming their work in the capital, Khartoum—reopening schools and offering protection, food, and hope to the most vulnerable children.
The country is facing one of the world’s most severe yet overlooked humanitarian crises. Violence, mass displacement, and the collapse of basic services have left millions in extreme hardship, especially children. According to United Nations data, more than 8 million Sudanese have been forced to flee their homes—the largest internal displacement crisis in the world—and around 25 million people, more than half the population, are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. In addition, tens of thousands have lost their lives since the conflict began. From the outset, the crisis has been marked by hunger, poverty, and a lack of international attention.
In this fragile context, education has become one of the main casualties. Thousands of schools have been destroyed or closed, and millions of children have seen their education interrupted. Without access to a safe environment, many spend their days on the streets, exposed to risks such as child labor, forced recruitment, violence, and exploitation.
The situation is particularly critical in the capital, Khartoum, where the effects of the conflict remain devastating. Yet even in this reality, signs of hope are beginning to emerge. The Salesian missionaries, present in the country since 1982, and who had been forced to withdraw for security reasons during the height of the conflict, have now taken a decisive step forward by resuming their educational mission in one of the hardest-hit areas: Kalakala.
The project specifically aims to restore and reopen primary schools, providing children with a safe place to learn and grow. The initiative includes repairing damaged infrastructure, supplying educational materials, and launching school feeding programs to help ensure regular attendance.
In total, the goal is to support 1,500 boys and girls affected by the war, offering not only access to education but also a protected environment away from the dangers caused by the conflict.
The Salesian initiative responds to an urgent need. The prolonged closure of schools has significantly increased the risk of children being permanently excluded from the education system. At the same time, many families—struggling with inflation and the loss of livelihoods—lack the resources to send their children back to school on their own.
In this context, Salesian schools serve not only an educational purpose but also a social and preventative one. Through school meal programs, educational activities, and support services, they aim to improve children’s well-being and promote their overall development. In many ways, the school becomes a vital space for restoring a sense of normalcy amid uncertainty.
The Salesian mission also relies on a strong community network. The involvement of educators, volunteers, and local groups makes it possible to gradually rebuild the social fabric and strengthen the response to the emergency. This collaborative effort is essential to ensuring the sustainability of these initiatives and their long-term impact.
After years of violence, Sudan now stands at a delicate stage, with early signs of recovery emerging in some areas. However, the country’s future will depend largely on its ability to protect its children and ensure access to education.
The reopening of schools in Kalakala is not only an immediate response to a crisis, but also a strategic investment in the future. Every child who returns to the classroom represents another step toward rebuilding a country that now needs, more than ever, opportunities, stability, and hope.
Source: Misiones Salesianas