December 2019
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December 2019 South Sudan Country Office © UNICEF South Sudan/2018/K Prinsloo Sudan/2018/K RELEASE AND REINTEGRATION Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups Situation overview in Pibor in May 2018; 149 children (98 The conflict that began in December boys; 51 girls) in Asanza in August 2018; Situation of children 2013 continues to affect the lives of 106 children (27 girls; 79 boys) in Asanza millions. Violence is widespread and in January 2019; 119 children (48 girls; human rights violations are common. 71 boys) in Duduma in February 2019; 3,677 Insecurity and active hostilities continue 32 boys in Mirmir in July 2019; and 29 verified reported incidents of despite the signing of peace agreements boys in Aweil in September 2019. grave violations against by the parties to the conflict. children reported, affecting an In addition, 29 children (23 boys; 6 girls) estimated 98,481 children In 2017, the conflict expanded to new who have escaped from the armed areas and reports of killing, recruitment group NAS are receiving interim care and use of children and denial of services pending improved security in humanitarian access increased in the their home community, while 21 boys Greater Bahr el Ghazal and Greater released in September 2019 from Aweil, Equatorial regions. With the signing of were reunified and reintegrated into the Results of UNICEF and the latest peace agreement in September community. 2018, the security situation has improved partners (since December 2013) and with it more and better access to A final verification of individual status of those in need. 205 children formerly associated with armed forces and armed groups Releases of children 2015 – 2019 (CAAFAG) (150 boys and 55 girls) and 3,232 Since the beginning of the conflict, 122 Other Vulnerable Children (86 boys children formally released or UNICEF has supported the release of and 36 girls ) is underway in Ngo Halema escaped from armed forces/ more than 3,200 children from armed of Wau State. groups provided with social and forces and armed groups. economic reintegration services In July 2019, Chairman Riek Machar of In 2017, UNICEF registered and provided SPLA-IO wrote to his base commanders 28% social and economic reintegration in Western Equatoria State and of children released in Western services to 101 children (99 boys; 2 girls), instructed them to release all girls and Equatoria were under the age of 15 who were informally released or escaped. women who are involuntary in their bases. In collaboration with UNMISS and Since April 2018 UNICEF in collaboration UNFPA, UNICEF is supporting the 19,180 with UNMISS has supported the National National Disarmement, Demobilisation children supported with access to education across Boma State Disarmament, Demobilization and and Reintegration Committee (NDDRC) Reintegration Commission (NDDRC) in the in planning of the releases of all the release of: 348 children (248 boys; 100 women and children from the SPLA-IO girls) in Yambio in February 2018; 248 controlled bases in Western Equatoria children (137 boys; 111 girls) in Bakiwiri in State. April 2018; 210 children (207 boys; 3 girls) © UNICEF South Sudan/2016/Lomodong © UNICEF South Sudan/2017/Phil Hatcher (Both photos) Community-Based Reintegration Programming across South Sudan UNICEF is supporting the National Children who are unable to safely Additionally, vulnerable children and Disarmament, Demobilization, and return to their families are placed in a households are provided with Reintegration Commission (NDDRC) family-based care arrangement. economic strengthening activities to with advocacy and resources at both include agriculture activities, inclusive the national and state levels to Social development of cash crops and vegetable support the continued release of production, livelihoods activities such children in South Sudan. UNICEF and partners engage youth in as fishing, poultry or small animal social development activities to reduce husbandry, and/or income generation UNICEF is currently supporting the inter-communal violence and to build activities through small business NDDRC in the verification of children resilience against (re)joining in enterprises. in the cantonments in Unity State. In hostilities. This begins with intensive addition there are reports of children psychosocial support for two months A total of 3,422 (2,988 Boys; 434 in the cantonments in Western following their release to promote Girls) of formally released children Equatoria State. In Central Equatoria healing and normalcy, followed by received social reintegration services State, due to recent fighting, children ongoing support and engagement at to ensure effective reintegration with are escaping from the opposition youth centers. In addition, children their families/communities. group National Salvation Army. participate in activities and clubs that aim to build valuable life skills, build 1,302 (1005 boys; 297 girls) Case management and family peace, and bridge social capital. previously released children received reunification economic reintegration services. Socioeconomic reintegration The priority for released children is 453 other vulnerable adolescent and reunification with their families. Only UNICEF is worKing through partners to households were reached with children who cannot be reunified with improve livelihoods and income economic strengthening services to their parents are supported with generating opportunities for released reduce the risK of recruitment. interim community-based care. children and other vulnerable Following reunification, children children/households. Children receive receive three months' worth of food hands-on vocational training and rations and various necessities, apprenticeships in a wide range of including civilian clothing, blankets, activities that include animal health With thanks to our generous donors: cooKing utensils, and fishing gear. care, beeKeeping, soap maKing, Norway, Sweden, Belgium, US State Released children receive follow-up tailoring, hairdressing, and leather Department, ECHO, EU, USAID and visits by case managers to facilitate worK. OFDA. access to services, address protection issues that arise, and monitor their transition bacK to their families to prevent re-recruited. For more information contact: Mohamed Ag Ayoya Yves Willemot Representative Chief of Communication Tel. +211 920 929 292 Tel. +211 912 162 888 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] More information on the situation in South Sudan and UNICEF response, including the latest situation reports, can be found at www.unicef.org/southsudan.