Child soldiers: it takes time to repair and Unicef needs more resources
Audio 01:01
Child soldiers during a disarmament, demobilization and reintegration ceremony supervised by Unicef, February 10, 2015, in Jonglei State, South Sudan.
AFP PHOTO / Charles LOMODONG
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
This Friday is the International Day of Child Soldiers.
A day to raise awareness of the plight of these children used in armed conflicts around the world.
This is the case with South Sudan.
It takes time to support these children in reintegration programs, but time is money, and it is lacking.
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According to UNICEF, South Sudan, the youngest country in the world, has recruited thousands of child soldiers, despite peace agreements.
In this country, victims are often recruited after attacks on their village or school, and forced to execute and witness atrocities.
Unicef says it has obtained the release of nearly 4,000 children associated with armed groups since 2013 ...
►
See also
: in South Sudan, 200 child soldiers released by armed groups
But this reintegration work -
the reintegration program lasts three years
- is undermined, due to lack of resources, explains Jean Lieby, UNICEF child protection officer in Juba, joined by
Christina Okello
, from the service. Africa of RFI "
When you were 11 to 17 years old carrying a weapon and you could say to everyone: 'I want this, I want that' and when then you become a young person and you have to listen what adults say, it takes a little time
... ”In the same way, for young girls also the situation is complicated, continues Jean Lieby.
"
Young girls who are thirteen, fourteen, fifteen and who already have a child or two, it is very difficult for them
" to return to school, especially as rape and other ill-treatment create psychological trauma. 'it takes time, again, to heal.
►
Also to listen
: Girl soldiers, the invisible ones of armed conflicts
But "
time is money, and money is starting to run out ... because with the Covid-, many States have been less inclined to help these reintegration programs, and on the other hand, there is an increase in poverty in South Sudan, which makes many people in great difficulty on a daily basis.
"
UNICEF has launched an appeal
for $ 4 million for its program for the reintegration of child soldiers, which includes a mental health component.
The psychological harm suffered by children used by armed forces and groups is often overlooked.
Joseph was kidnapped and his life turned into a nightmare.
After his escape, the nightmare continued.
@unicefssudan #ChildrenNotSoldiers pic.twitter.com/qsZ9Hp9zHT
- UNICEF France (@UNICEF_france) February 9, 2021
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