Year of Publication
2014
NGO associated?
✔
Summary
One year ago, hundreds of thousands of children’s lives were uprooted when
violence broke out in South Sudan. Today, those children live in fear of violence,
are out of school, are unable to return home, and face risks to the rights they –
like children all over the world – are entitled to.
After a peaceful independence referendum in 2011, the people of South Sudan
were filled with hope that, as the world’s youngest country, they could finally
leave behind decades of war and forge a brighter future. But the promise of a
better life for most South Sudanese was shattered in December 2013, when the
country descended into conflict.
In 2014, three years after the world’s newest country was born, more than one in
three (3.8 million) people require humanitarian assistance.1 Close to two million
people have fled their homes – more than 400,000 to neighbouring countries.2
Several states in South Sudan have seen significant levels of violence, particularly
in Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei states. Some 100,000 people are taking shelter
inside United Nations Protection of Civilians3 sites across the country, where they
have fled to escape violence.4 Millions more have taken refuge in communities and
surrounding areas, leaving them unprotected and, for those in hard to reach areas,
without access to life-saving aid.
In May 2014, ahead of the Oslo Donor Conference, World Vision published a
report on the situation of children in South Sudan, warning decision makers
that ‘unless urgent measures are taken things will get unimaginably worse’ for
children.5 Sadly, six months later the situation has further deteriorated. More
children have been displaced; more have been recruited into armed groups and
forces; and more have been separated from their families.
violence broke out in South Sudan. Today, those children live in fear of violence,
are out of school, are unable to return home, and face risks to the rights they –
like children all over the world – are entitled to.
After a peaceful independence referendum in 2011, the people of South Sudan
were filled with hope that, as the world’s youngest country, they could finally
leave behind decades of war and forge a brighter future. But the promise of a
better life for most South Sudanese was shattered in December 2013, when the
country descended into conflict.
In 2014, three years after the world’s newest country was born, more than one in
three (3.8 million) people require humanitarian assistance.1 Close to two million
people have fled their homes – more than 400,000 to neighbouring countries.2
Several states in South Sudan have seen significant levels of violence, particularly
in Upper Nile, Unity and Jonglei states. Some 100,000 people are taking shelter
inside United Nations Protection of Civilians3 sites across the country, where they
have fled to escape violence.4 Millions more have taken refuge in communities and
surrounding areas, leaving them unprotected and, for those in hard to reach areas,
without access to life-saving aid.
In May 2014, ahead of the Oslo Donor Conference, World Vision published a
report on the situation of children in South Sudan, warning decision makers
that ‘unless urgent measures are taken things will get unimaginably worse’ for
children.5 Sadly, six months later the situation has further deteriorated. More
children have been displaced; more have been recruited into armed groups and
forces; and more have been separated from their families.