South Sudan: 15,000 lost children in limbo

Nearly 15,000 children are with no parents or guardians in the war ravaged South Sudan. UNICEF has registered almost the same number of children in various camps across the country.

Since violence erupted on 15 December 2013, almost 750,000 children have been internally displaced and more than 320,000 are living as refugees, read a statement by UNICEF. An estimated 400,000 children have been forced out of school and 12,000 are reported as being used by armed forces and groups in the conflict.

It further added that with traditional social structures damaged, children are also increasingly vulnerable to violence and to sexual abuse and exploitation.

South Sudan is facing a critical food security crisis, with an estimated 31 per cent of the population experiencing severe food insecurity as of December 2016, and children among the most vulnerable.

The situation is expected to deteriorate further, with 276,343 children likely to be affected by severe acute malnutrition in 2017.

Children displaced by conflict play UNICEF supported school in Rimenze. USAIDSouthSudan NorwayinSSudan eu_echo DFID #southsudan pic.twitter.com/YI3CH73zAc

— UNICEF South Sudan (unicefssudan) February 17, 2017