photo: Unicef UNICEF has warned that critical reintegration programmes for children released from armed forces and groups in Sudan may be forced to shut down in March due to lack of funding.
Around 900 children are registered for release, but without new funding, UNICEF says they will not be able to provide support as they transition to civilian life.
The three-year programme costs US$2,000 (€1,840) per child and provides psychosocial support, family tracing and reunification, education and other crucial services to help them rebuild their lives.
UNICEF requires US$4.2m (€3.8m) for 2020 to cover new releases of former child soldiers and their immediate enrolment into reintegration programmes and in addition for the continuation of the programme for children released previously.
If adequate funding is provided, the aid group could support 2,100 children released from combat groups over the coming year.
Mohamed Ag Ayoya, UNICEF’s South Sudan representative, says the children are “registered, verified and ready to be released” but that they “don’t have the funding to continue” their work. Since 2015, UNICEF has supported the release and reintegration of 3,677 children; most of whom completed the programme and have not returned to armed forces or groups.
However, the programme has been severely underfunded for over a year, with the UN children’s fund forced to divert resources from other areas of work to sustain the crucial support to vulnerable.