There are currently conflicts of varying degrees in Eastern and Central Africa, with some considered to be severe. What links all of them is the profoundly negative impact they have on children. Over 90 per cent of casualties and deaths are of civilians and of these over half are children. In addition to threats to their health and well-being, children caught up in war and disaster also face significant insecurity and protection needs. It is estimated that more than two million children have been displaced by war within and outside Sudan.
Displaced children are more vulnurable than refugee children because they are not protected by the Convention on the Status of Refugees. Children uprooted from their home communities face an insecure and uncertain future where their heightened vulnerability leaves them under threat of violence, sexual abuse, trafficking and exploitation. Many, if not all, displaced children will suffer from some degree of psychological distress. Displaced children also have minimal access to education. This reduces their opportunity for a prospective future even after the conflict ends. This inability to attend school correlates with other protection issues.
At any one time, children are actively fighting as soldiers with government armed forces or armed opposition groups. Disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) efforts have helped former child soldiers return to civilian life.
In emergencies, children face heightened risks of being forcibly displaced and suffer human rights violations through warring parties and other opportunistic groups specifically targeting civilians. Contributing to this vulnerability is the absence of authority and social order which in turn disrupts critical economic systems, as well as material and social infrastructure.
The impact on children may be more profound because of their age and stage of development – unless releif efforts consider the specific needs of children, it may be difficult to ensure their basic needs are met and that their rights are protected.
We have identified the following priorities in protection efforts for children in emergencies:
Protect children from physical violence, as to advocate to enhance children’s physical safety, such as landmine awareness and rehabilitation programmes.
Protect children from sexual violence, as to recognise that children are most vulnerable to abuse such as rape, incest and molestation.
Protect children from exploitaton, as to prevent the occurence of abuse and activities that care for survivors and reintegrate them back into their families and communities.
Protect children from recruitment into armed forces, as to advocate for recruitment prevention as well as the release of children at all times from armed forces, rehabilitation and reintegration.
Protect children from psychosocial distress, as to during periods of crisis children are exposed to a variety of extreme circumstances. In addition to meeting basic needs, such as food and shelter, there needs to be consideration given to emotional and developmental support.
Protect children from denial of education, as education recognises the child’s right to education, reducing the risks associated with conflict situations and educating children about their rights. it provides a safe space for children, can re-establish a sense of normality after the trauma of an emergency, and gives children an opportunity to learn skills essential for coping with an emergency.
Protect children from family separation and promote appropriate reunification, through advanced preparation and preparedness.
Protect the abuse of rights of refugee and displaced children, by address the risks through increased access to basic health and education services and better protection monitoring.
Promote social integration and reconciliation, as children often feel isolated, angry, marginalised and stigmatised in periods of conflict.
For more information about our regional focus, please contact the Regional Programme Officer for Child protection in Emergencies, Ms Anne Musomba.