Aisha, 5, takes her first steps on a prosthetic limb in Sudan after an explosion hit her home

Five-year-old Aisha has taken her first steps on an artificial limb at the Karrari Centre for Prosthetics in Khartoum State, months after an explosion tore through her family's home in North Omdurman, UNICEF Sudan said on 13 October.

The blast hit the family's compound at night, while Aisha slept beside her mother, Amera. It killed Aisha's father and two of her siblings. Aisha lost a limb, and Amera suffered several fractures and other serious injuries while shielding her daughter.

“The explosion completely turned my daughter’s life around.” — Amera, Aisha’s mother

Fitted at the Karrari Centre for Prosthetics

Aisha was recently fitted with the artificial limb at the Karrari center, where health workers helped her take her first steps with it. UNICEF works with Sudan's National Mine Action Centre to give survivors of explosive ordnance psychosocial support and rehabilitation, and Aisha's care is part of that work.

Her mother is still worried about the years ahead. “When I look at her altered body, at times, I fear for her future,” Amera told UNICEF.

Explosive remnants still injure children across Sudan

Aisha's injury is part of a wider pattern. Between January and March 2026, 77 people were killed or injured by explosive ordnance in Sudan, 25 of them killed and 52 injured, and 35 of the victims were children, according to a factsheet from the UN Mine Action Service. UNMAS says the real number is likely much higher because many incidents go unreported.

Clearance is underway but slow. Since April 2023, UNMAS has released about 2.8 million square meters of land back for safe use and removed 18,768 explosive items, working with the National Mine Action Centre on surveys, clearance and risk education.

UNICEF's story does not say how many children the Karrari center has fitted with artificial limbs, or how many are waiting for one.