Children, not soldiers

Yambio, South Sudan - While South Sudan's civil war ended in 2018, conflict and violence affecting and involving children remains common. For former child soldiers who still suffer from the trauma of war, a training programme allows them to recoup some of their lost childhood dreams. Emmanuel, Susan and Tito* were abducted by rebel forces near…

Rumbek, Lakes State, South Sudan – “When we came upon my father’s body, we found out that he had been shot and killed – not very far from our house. I was scared that they would kill me next,” says Joseph* as he stares vacantly at the big white tent that will be his home for the next few days at a UNICEF-supported transit centre in Rumbek. In many…

World Children’s Day was celebrated with much fanfare and fun-filled activities in Juba on 20 th November. The day was coordinated by UNICEF Child Reporters in collaboration with the State Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare (MGCSW), UNICEF and partners including Windle Trust International, Nile Sustainable Development Organization (…

19 November 2021, Rumbek, South Sudan – At a formal ceremony in Rumbek, yesterday seven children associated with armed forces were released. The boys ranging in age from 13 to 17 years of age were released in Lakes State. The recruitment and use of children are prohibited by the South Sudan domestic legislation (Labour Act (2017), Transitional…

Yambio, South Sudan – “I’m already thinking of clothing designs I can create on my own after I graduate. One month ago, I didn’t know anything about tailoring,” says Grace ( name changed ) as she holds her small baby, Innocent, while practicing with the sewing machine. Grace was 16 when she was abducted by an armed group while walking home with…

“ When it comes to fighting for your people, this is no small war. I want to leave a legacy of putting my life on the line for the health of our children”, says Mabor Kau, explaining his job as a member of the Mothers’ Support Group in Abin-Ajok Primary Health Care Unit. Mabor is male, and a former soldier who lives in Rumbek Centre County of…

JUBA, South Sudan 12 February 2021 – The grotesque use of children in armed conflict is a battery of child right violations and has no place in 2021, said UNICEF today. Children are forced to execute and witness atrocities. Children are killed, injured, maimed, abused mentally and sexually. It is life-threatening and extremely damaging to children…

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN 8 FEBRUARY 2021 – “The nightmare that continues to haunt me, is my dad being slaughtered by the group that captured me,” said Joseph [NAME CHANGED] who was only 13 when he was kidnapped, forced to fight and had to watch his father being killed. Joseph is one of five children featured in the video series ‘When I Close My Eyes”,…

Some nightmares have once been a reality., Children used by armed forces and armed groups have lived through what only happens in adult’s worst nightmares. The ‘ When I close my eyes ’ video series below shows the importance of social workers and families for children recovering from traumatic experiences., Meet Josephine Bakhita, one of the social workers crucial to UNICEF’s reintegration programme., I love to support them just like my own children. – Josephine Bakhita Through the UNICEF supported reintegration programme for children associated with armed forces and armed groups, children are provided with a dedicated social worker for a duration of three years. This is essential for the success of the programme and in particular children's…, Sadly, the stories of child soldiers are numerous., But so are their calls for peace. “Young people who survive war have an amazing ability to persevere and become the champions for peace that are so needed, despite the horrors they have been through. I know from experience that all that pain, that unimaginable suffering, and that sense of loss of humanity, can all be refocused towards something…, Resources, Thanks to our donors, UNICEF South Sudan is especially thankful for support to the reintegration programme from USAID, The EU and ECHO, the US special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, and the National Committees for UNICEF in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, France Norway and Spain

“When I came out, people would talk and point fingers saying ‘she is one of the bush kids’. They were afraid of me, but I would never hurt anyone.” Sara’s (15) gaze is turned down as she re-lives the first weeks after she escaped from the group that kidnapped her and then used, abused and exploited her for a year. We are seated on blue plastic…

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN, 23 July 2020: - Within the context of the locust infestation affecting South Sudan, the EU allocated an additional €4.5 million in humanitarian funding to UNICEF to help in addressing humanitarian needs in the country that are aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic.   Out of this funding, over €2 million will be dedicated to…

Mahmud [NAME CHANGED] is producing up to 40 reusable face masks a day, which are then distributed for free in his village Tindoka, near Yambio Town in the south-west of South Sudan. His effort is part of UNICEF’s integrated response to COVID-19. “It is a great achievement ... making face mask for free distribution. When you put on these masks, I…