Youngest Casualties of War: More Child Soldiers to Be Released in South Sudan
On Tuesday, February 12th, 119 children and adolescents – 48 girls and 71 boys – formerly associated with armed forces and armed groups will be released in a ceremony in Gbudue State, South Sudan. This is the fifth wave of these releases.
Photo taken during an earlier release ceremony in South Sudan.
CMMB continues to work closely with Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (DDR), Ministry of Education, Gender and Social Welfare, UNICEF, UNMISS, World Food Program, Food and Agricultural Organization, and World Vision to support the children from the moment of release to their reunification and reintegration into communities.
“Survivors are left with both trauma and stigma and without the possibility of reintegration, children are left with little hope to rebuild they lives.” – Virginia Gamba, on why the services provided by CMMB and partners is critical for children used in war
The event includes the verification of children by the DDR and issuance of certificates. The children then meet with social workers who conduct family tracing and psycho-social support (i.e. basic counseling), before children receive a medical screening and educational assessment.
“I want to thank CMMB and many of our partners. They never abandoned us in these problems. It was risky to go on those roads, but they stayed with us. This has been transforming to me.” – Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Catholic bishop of Tombura-Yambio diocese in South Sudan and a key actor in the struggle for peace in South Sudan
CMMB will be responsible for case management after the release, a process whereby each child is assigned a social worker who visits their homes or places of residence and conducts comprehensive assessments which help identify protection concerns for each child. After the assessment, a joint plan of action is developed by the social worker, child, and family on how to meet the identified needs. This includes referring the child to various agencies that provide the specific required services – including nutrition, education, psycho-social services, and livelihood and vocational training. CMMB will provide counseling, follow-up visits, and ensure children are connected to the various services required both within CMMB and through other local partners.
CMMB staff members work with former child soldiers at the third release in South Sudan.
“I see hope and positively transformed lives in this journey. They have opportunities to be children again and return to a more normal life. These children have dreams of their own. They want to live lives that positively transforms their future. There are challenges of course, but I truly see hope in their eyes. They have a chance at life again.” – Catherine Onkware, CMMB child protection manager
Catherine Onkware is the manager of child protection in Yambio, South Sudan. Here she is with a group of children in a Child Friendly Space.
If you are interested in speaking with our head of child protection, Catherine Onkware to learn more about our work on the ground and the challenges and joys of this work, please contact Laura Manni (lmanni@cmmb.org, 212.612.2579).
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