PIBOR, SOUTH SUDAN, 26 October 2016 – UNICEF has announced the release of 145 children by armed groups in South Sudan today. This is the largest number of children freed since 2015, when 1,775 children were released in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, South Sudan.
“Our hope is that today’s release will be followed by many others so that the 16,000 children who are still in armed forces and armed groups will be able to return to their families,” said Mahimbo Mdoe, UNICEF’s Representative in South Sudan.
During their release from the Cobra Faction and the SPLA in Opposition, the children were formally disarmed and provided with civilian clothes. Medical screenings were carried out and the children were registered for a reintegration programme.
Over the coming months, all released children will receive counselling and psychosocial support. They will be placed in an interim care centre, until their families can be traced. Following their reunification, the children’s families will be provided with three months’ worth of food assistance as a take-home package as well as livestock to supplement household income during the reintegration process.
“Children in South Sudan need safety, protection and opportunities,” said Mdoe. “Our priority is to get them into school and to provide services to communities so the children are able to see a more promising future.
“With ongoing fighting across the country, UNICEF continues to receive reports about the recruitment of children in Unity, Jonglei and other states. We urge all parties to abide by international law, to end recruitment and to release children who are currently serving in their ranks.”
- An estimated 16,000 children have been recruited by armed forces and armed groups in South Sudan since the onset of fighting that began in December 2013.
- More than 800 children are estimated to have been recruited since the beginning of 2016.
UNICEF has been working with the Government of South Sudan’s National Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission to secure the release and reintegration of children associated with armed forces and armed groups and to provide the children with livelihood and education opportunities.
UNICEF requires an additional US$4 million to continue providing the services needed by the children released today and those expected to be released in the future.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
Mahimbo Mdoe, UNICEF Representative, South Sudan, will be available for media interviews this evening (South Sudan is GMT +3) on his return to Juba following the release.
We anticipate new multimedia material from the region later today, in the interim, please see this footage from the 2015 release of child combatants (referenced in the release above). Any difficulties please let the office know.
About UNICEF
UNICEF promotes the rights and well-being of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. UNICEF has been operating for 70 years.
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To learn about UNICEF and its work for children visit https://www.unicef.ie/
For more information, please contact:
Aedín Donnelly, Communications and Media Manager for UNICEF Ireland | aedin@unicef.ie Tel: +353 1 809 0281 | Mob: +353 85 1395272
For interviews, please contact:
Tim Irwin, Chief of Communication, UNICEF South Sudan. Mobile: +211 912 162 888, tjirwin@unicef.org
Marianna Zaichykova, Communication Specialist, UNICEF South Sudan. Mobile: + 211 956 859 134, mzaichykova@unicef.org
Mercy Kolok, Communication Officer, UNICEF South Sudan. Mobile: + 211 (0) 929 517 862 / 0955 639 658, mkolok@unicef.org
Photo above taken during 2015 release of child combatants. Children surrender their weapons, South Sudan © UNICEF/UNI178984/Rich
