Children fleeing civil war

Thousands of children are at risk of abuse and exploitation as they flee from conflict in South Sudan.

Since the latest wave of violence began in Juba at the beginning of July, the security situation in the rest of the country has deteriorated significantly.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, estimated that nearly 100,000 people have crossed to Uganda since 1 July alone, while OCHA estimates that 1.61 million internally displaced people remain within the country.

Around 170,000 of these are seeking shelter within UN compounds. Many more have gone into hiding in the bush, afraid to return to their homes for fear of attack.

Thousands of families are now facing hunger and malnutrition. Worryingly, we’ve heard worrying reports that an increasing number of women and girls are being raped.

Several ambushes have been reported in Yei, where the child rights and humanitarian organisation Plan International has a child sponsorship programme. Local militias have blocked roads to and from the town, making the area inaccessible and meaning we have had to suspend our work there.

Although we are continuing our food distribution programmes in the areas of Lakes, Jonglei, Torit and Kapeota, security is an issue in many other parts of the country.

While some calm has returned to Juba, where a ceasefire has held since 11 July, pockets of violence continue to erupt – particularly in the states of Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Unity and Upper Nile.

The challenge is that we have no idea of the exact numbers of those affected. The security issues have meant that humanitarian workers are unable to access the worst affected parts of the country to carry out a proper assessment.

We do have an idea of the number of unaccompanied children, but again, it is only an estimate. The most recent figures suggest there are over 10,000 nationwide and, in Juba, the number living on the streets is becoming ever more apparent.

Sadly, many will be orphans – their parents killed during the conflict or having died from disease. Others will have become separated from their families when fighting broke out, and others still will be coming to the city each day from the Internally Displaced People camps nearby.

Whatever the reason, these children are extremely vulnerable. Being on the streets exposes them to abuse, and exploitation. Many are unable to get food and they have to scavenge for survival. Our biggest worry is that the street boys may be recruited into terror gangs and militia groups, while girls may be sexually abused and exploited.

Plan International UK is calling for a multi-agency response to protect and care for these vulnerable children. They need food, medical care and facilities to wash. A lot of them also need psychosocial support considering the violence they have witnessed and associated trauma they have endured. The children also need facilities such as Child Friendly Spaces where they can play, learn and be themselves, and start to regain a sense of normality.