Children of War: Wandering Alone in Southern Sudan

ISBN-10: 9280631063
ISBN-13: 9789280631067
Series: Children of War
Pages: 50
Language: English
Published: 1994
Publisher: United Nations Children's Fund
Author: Johannes Zutt

Description

This booklet describes the plight of the estimated 20,000 Sudanese children separated from their parents during the civil conflict in southern Sudan that began in 1983. Most of them are boys ages 7 to 17. Young males, initiated in age sets, traditionally enjoyed relative independence and mobility, but while departures from their families may have been voluntary at the outset their lives as refugees have been very traumatic. Relief workers, however, have found that the children have maintained a positive self image and are capable of empathizing. Low cost rehabilitation efforts are being centred on schools and primary health care networks in the refugee camps. With continuing high population displacement, family reunification still poses problems. In publishing this report UNICEF wishes to draw attention to both the plight and the heroism of these children.