Despite a two-year-old ceasefire, there are still many children suffering the effects of 20 years of conflict. It is estimated that 50,000 children in the affected region are out of school; around 140,000 have been displaced from their homes; and landmines have killed 20 and maimed 17 children in 2003 alone.
The use of children as soldiers is of particular concern to UNICEF. At least 1,301 children have been determined to still be in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) on the basis of reports submitted by families.
New figures in the report show that 709 children were recruited by the LTTE in 2003. A total of 202 children were released, either to the Kilinochchi Transit Centre or directly back to their families, in the same period.
A combined effortThe government, the LTTE, donors, non-governmental organizations, United Nations (UN) Development Programme (UNDP), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and UNICEF have combined their efforts to address childrens’ health, education and protection needs.
In 2003, ‘catch up’ education programmes reached 23,500 children, a total of 244 school buildings were refurbished and the recruitment of teachers to address the deficit was begun. Other highlights included establishing vocational training capacity, micro-credit schemes, additional probation and child care capacity and social work support.
