World Refugee Day: Shocking outlook for children in world’s refugee crises
June 19, 2014
As World Refugee Day approaches on June 20, it’s critical the world wakes up to the fact that often most of those fleeing fighting are children, says international aid organization World Vision.
Almost 7 million children have fled violence in Syria, South Sudan, Somalia and Central African Republic.
Children comprise more than half of Syrian refugees and about 60 per cent of those who have fled Somalia. They also make up more than half of those living in squalid displaced camps in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.
In South Sudan more than 1 million people are internally displaced and it’s often children who suffer the most according to Perry Mansfield, World Vision’s program director for the country. Children who have already lost their homes and loved ones become vulnerable to sexual violence and recruitment by armed groups. Those who make it to displaced people’s camps face crowded and unsanitary conditions.
“The cramped conditions within the camps and growing threats of insecurity make it difficult for children to get the psychological support they need for their growth and development,” Mansfield says.
Things continue to deteriorate. The number of internally displaced in South Sudan is predicted to rise to 1.5 million by the end of the year, and worsening conditions in Somalia will add to almost 1 million refugees already living outside the country. The total number of Syrian refugees is expected to reach 3 million within months.
The United Nations says response plans to deal with each emergency face major funding shortfalls. The South Sudan Crisis Response Plan is underfunded by 59 per cent, the Somalia Consolidated Appeal underfunded by 83 per cent, and the Syria Regional Refugee Response Plan is underfunded by 60 per cent.
Jeff Wright, World Vision Syria response director, says the international community currently suffers a “general malaise” making it slow to respond to the country’s refugee crisis. On the other hand, it quickly found a way to broker an agreement to remove chemical weapons.
“The international community must expend that same political and financial capital to broker a negotiated peace inside Syria,” he says. “It needs to stem the tide of refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries, and urgently support the 2.8 million refugees in the region until they can return home.”
His sentiments are echoed by Francois Batalingaya, national director for World Vision Somalia. He warns that allowing the Somali refugee population to grow simply “prolongs the agony for all concerned and will give the rest of the world challenges to deal with for years to come.”
More hopefully, some displaced have begun to return to their homes in the Central African Republic where more than 680,000 fled sectarian violence. World Vision response manager Leopold Ndiouki says the focus of World Vision’s aid response is to restore normality in areas torn apart by conflict, but more funding is needed to support the work and encourage more to return home.
“It’s only when people are home that they can properly start to rebuild their lives and fend for themselves,” he says.
World Vision runs extensive aid operations in South Sudan, Somalia, Central African Republic and among Syrian refugees. Its activities include the supply of food, clean water, shelter and essential supplies to struggling populations. It also provides psychosocial support for children and family tracing and reunification.
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