The 200 Children of »Mygoma Orphanage«

From Khartoum to Wad Madani And Beyond

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After the war broke out in April 2023,

The Mygoma Orphanage in Khartoum fell into a humanitarian disaster.

Electricity and water were cut, staff could no longer reach the facility due to the fighting, and food and medicine ran out. Local staff and volunteers reported that 67 children died in the first weeks after the war began in Khartoum. The Mygoma orphanage housed mostly newborns, infants & toddlers, who were extremely vulnerable when electricity, staff, and medical supplies collapsed. Most of the deaths were infants who could not survive the lack of nutrition, hydration, and medical care. Many toddlers also suffered severely, but the youngest were hit the hardest.

Caregivers were often unable to reach the building.

Because of active fighting, roadblocks, snipers, and lack of transport, many staff members could not enter the orphanage. There were periods when the children were completely without care. Reuters documented times when the building was entirely unstaffed.

Babies were left for hours or longer without feeding, hygiene, or medical support.

Local staff confirmed these breakdowns. Volunteers and former employees reported hearing the children crying but being unable to reach them due to the fighting.

In June 2023, more than 200 children were finally evacuated from Khartoum by UNICEF, the Sudanese Ministry of Social Development, and the ICRC, and transferred to Wad Madani.

UNICEF set up a temporary care center there to stabilize the children and eventually place them with foster families.

But after the RSF captured Wad Madani in December 2023, the situation deteriorated again and the children had to be evacuated a second time.

In December 2023, the RSF captured Wad Madani.

The takeover happened within hours, forcing civilians and aid workers to flee the city. Humanitarian organizations lost access. Communication networks collapsed.

The temporary care center for the Mygoma children was no longer safe.

UNICEF, the Sudanese Ministry of Social Development, and partners evacuated 253 children from Wad Madani over two days. For many of them, this was the second evacuation since June.

UNICEF has not disclosed the children’s current location for security reasons. There is no public information about where they are today or how they are doing. (I have asked UNICEF whether they can share any non‑sensitive updates on the children’s well‑being. A response is still pending.)

These children have already survived the collapse of two cities, two evacuations & the loss of their first home. Their resilience & the dedication of those who protected them deserves to be remembered.

*Their safety remains the priority:

For safety reasons, please do not share any information about the children’s location in the comments. If necessary, the comment section will be closed.