Extending Its Initiatives to Support Families and Children: Zain Sudan Efficiates the 9696 Hotline on the International Child Helpline Day

Sudanhorizon – Monitoring Desk
In partnership with the Khartoum State Police, the Ministry of Social Development, and the Coordinating Mechanism for Family and Child Protection Units, the Sudanese mobile telecommunications company Zain Sudan celebrated International Child Helpline Day on Sunday, 17 May 2026, at the Family and Child Protection Unit headquarters in Omdurman.
During the event, the company officially announced the reactivation of the free hotline 9696, which it had previously provided to the unit as part of its longstanding commitment to advocating for the protection of children and families against various forms of violence and abuse, whether physical or digital. The initiative also reflects the company’s solidarity with children who have borne a heavy burden during the war that erupted on 15 April, having endured fear, psychological trauma, displacement, and refuge alongside their families.
The ceremony was attended by the representative of the Director of Khartoum State Police and the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Major General of Police Hatim Al-Sharif Hamdallah, who expressed his satisfaction with the improving security situation and the gradual return of stability. He stressed that children represent the leaders of the future and deserve every possible effort to protect and support them, praising the significant role played by Zain Sudan and its supportive stance throughout the war period.
The Director of the Family and Child Protection Unit, Police Colonel Hatim Ibrahim, also commended the partnerships supporting the unit, particularly the contributions made by Zain Sudan, noting that the company has consistently been among the first institutions to initiate and support protection and assistance programmes.
For his part, Senior Public Prosecutor Ammar Ahmed Abbas highlighted the importance of the 9696 hotline as a secure channel for providing support, treatment, and early intervention, emphasising that public trust in the hotline constitutes a cornerstone for strengthening family and child protection.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Social Development, Dr Siddiq Freni, praised the smart community partnerships implemented by Zain Sudan during the war, particularly joint initiatives aimed at helping children and young people use their time positively and constructively.
Zain Sudan has remained an institutional partner of the Family and Child Protection Unit since 2013. The company contributed to the signing of an official agreement to expand the unit’s main call centre building, as well as to training 14 specialised staff members to strengthen the institution’s response capacity.
Following the outbreak of war on 15 April 2023, the hotline ceased operations for three years, until Zain Sudan announced yesterday that it would gradually resume operations through modern, advanced technical infrastructure.
The company also officially launched a “hosted virtual call centre” based on cloud solutions, ensuring operational continuity, flexibility, and data security. The centre has additionally been equipped with modern laptops and headsets, while staff members have undergone retraining to guarantee the efficient and professional handling of reports and enquiries.

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