August 30th (Nyamilepedia) – The World Vision said on Thursday that it is concerned by unaccompanied children who fled South Sudan to flee the ongoing civil war which engulfed the world’s youngest nation in December 2013.
Stephen Omollo, the World Vision’s East Africa Regional Director, said South Sudan refugee children are in dire need of extra protection, education and other important services that can enhance their well-being wherever they are in different Refugee Camps in East Africa.
“Many children have been separated from their families and arrive unaccompanied to their new settlements. Children on the move experience violence in more extreme, more complex and potentially more damaging ways than those living in their home communities,” he said.
He said extra protection and service delivery are needed to address these concerns as the situation is not compared to the one they lived in in their communities.
“They are in urgent need of extra protection, education and other essential services like food, water and healthcare,” Omollo said
He pointed out that if the situation continues, without being addressed in the shortest possible time, theu will be compelled to take immediate actions to ensure that effects of protracted situation in Refugee Camp is mitigated.
“This disturbing reality should compel us all to take action, and do a better job at protecting children on the move, to ensure that their future is secured,” he said adding that “The effects of protracted crises that children in the region are facing needs to be mitigated and every effort must be made to ensure that they are protected from increasing vulnerability.”
South Sudan descended into civil war in December 2013 following a violent national convention for the ruling and the fractured SPLM.
