Sudan conflict one year on: a long-term impact on education, culture and the media

The Current Situation in Sudan: A Multifaceted Crisis

The education sector is one of the most severely affected areas, casting a long shadow over the future of millions of children. Reports indicate that the conflict has forced the closure of over 10,400 schools, predominantly in the conflict-ravaged regions, leaving 19 million children without access to education.

This interruption not only halts their academic progress but also exposes them to various risks, including recruitment into armed groups and gender-based violence. The dire situation is further compounded by the displacement of 3.5 million children, rendering Sudan the nation with the highest number of displaced children globally. 250,000 members of learning and teaching communities are in Egypt.

The media sector is also strongly impacted despite its essential role in times of conflict to deliver potentially lifesaving information to populations. Since the conflict erupted on 15 April 2023, at least 47 out of 57 media houses have closed, with few journalists reporting on the ground. According to a recent survey conducted by international NGO Media in Cooperation and Transition (MiCT) and supported by UNESCO, 90 out of more than 200 Sudanese journalists surveyed have encountered psychological threats and acts of violence.

In the field of culture, cultural heritage across the country is at significant risk of destruction and looting, including World Heritage Sites, museums, and archives. UNESCO has called on all parties not to target or use cultural sites for military purposes, including the World Heritage site of the Island of Meroe. UNESCO is closely monitoring reports of damage to several cultural sites, including to the Sudan Natural History Museum, the Sudanese National Museum, National Ethnographic Museum and the Republican Palace Museum in Khartoum and several community museums in the Darfur region. The on-going fighting is also heavily affecting artists and cultural professionals, leading to displacement and disruption of livelihoods.

UNESCO continues to mobilize in support of the Sudanese people

Faced with this critical situation, UNESCO has launched several initiatives aimed at addressing the immediate needs and laying the groundwork for long-term recovery.

Education: UNESCO has mobilized national and international experts to strategize on revitalizing education in Sudan, focusing on reopening schools, online education, teacher's salaries, and school infrastructure. It also followed organized Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)workshop, which highlighted the importance of adjusting the Sudanese TVET system with the support of Egyptian experts and experiences.

Protecting journalists: With support from MiCT, UNESCO was able to relocate over 80 journalists and their families to safe Sudanese regions and neighboring countries to stabilize their lives and allow them to continue reporting.

Cultural heritage preservation: Through its Heritage Emergency Fund, UNESCO is acting to protect nine components at two World Heritage properties - "Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region" and "Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe" - and five museums designated as priorities by the National Corporation of Antiquities and Museums (NCAM). UNESCO is supporting emergency inventories of museum collections, comprehensive risk assessments, and awareness campaigns with communities to prevent illicit trafficking of cultural property. UNESCO is also creating safe work spaces for Sudanese artists, highly impacted by the conflict, in Port-Sudan.

UNESCO maintains its support and prepares for recovery

As we enter the second year of the conflict, UNESCO will continue its mobilization in all areas of its mandate: from safeguarding cultural heritage to restoring education and addressing environmental concerns.

In the next few days, UNESCO will bring together regional stakeholders and international partners to identify new ways of supporting Sudan, including on finalizing a comprehensive assessment of the damages affecting Sudan's cultural heritage. This assessment will cover World Heritage sites, archives, libraries, intangible cultural heritage, documentary heritage, and creative industries.