Sudan: Call for increased focus on children as referendum nears
Humanitarian agency World Vision has called on the international community to focus more on the needs of children in the count down to and beyond the referendum in Southern Sudan, given the exposure of children to risks of neglect, exploitation and abuse.
The rapidly changing context, resulting from an influx of returnees is straining host communities that already face increased shortages of basic human needs such as food, shelter, water, health care and sanitation.
Vulnerable children
Children are more vulnerable to diseases while in transit, in crowds and when exposed to adverse changes of weather and environment. The number of children and teenagers that are separated from their parents and guardians also tends to increase in times of social disturbance.
World Vision makes this appeal at a time when the number of returnees to Southern Sudan, where one out of seven children dies before reaching age five, is growing exponentially.
Returnees
While the number of registered returnees was just over 50,000 in mid December, statistics show that the number has almost tripled by the end of the same month.
These large numbers of returnees from the North and the potential of instability and unrest in some areas around the January 9 vote, requires deliberate efforts by the international community to protect children.
As a result, World Vision is calling on local, regional and global leaders to prioritize ensuring peace and protection as a basis of lasting development and better lives for all Sudanese.
Emergency supplies ready
“It is important to keep our eyes on the health, protection and future of the children of this vast country more so now as the temptation is for the world to concentrate on the political orchestrations,” says World Vision’s Programme Director to South Sudan, Mr. Edwin Asante.
“World Vision and other organisations have stock-piled essential relief provisions such as emergency health and food supplies and drinking water, but this alone will not be enough. Access to camps is also vital. With such a large movement of people there is an increased risk of outbreak of diseases as has already been seen in some transit camps,” he adds.
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A spokesperson from Juba is available for interview. Please contact Tressan McCambridge +353 (0)87 2959344
FAST FACTS on South Sudan
- South Sudan’s total population is 8.26 million
- More than half live below the poverty line of less than $1 (US) per day
- One out of four adults is literate
- 72% of the population is below the age of 30
- More than half (51%) of the population are children and teenagers
- 83% of the population is rural; most depend on crops or animal husbandry as main income
Sources: UNDP and Southern Sudan Commission for Census, Statistics and Evaluation
Referenda Background:
South Sudan Referendum
On 9 January, Southern Sudan will hold a referendum to decide whether it should remain united with the North or become an independent nation. The referendum is part of the 2005 Naivasha Agreement, also known as the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), between the Khartoum central government and the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M). The CPA, signed in Kenya in January 2005, ended decades of conflict, where approximately 1.9 million people were killed in Southern Sudan and some 4 million southerners were displaced throughout the years.
Only Southern Sudanese are eligible to vote in the referendum. The central government of Sudan and the South Sudanese government agreed that turnout would have to be 60% for the vote to be valid, and that as long as turnout is 60% or higher, a simple majority vote in favour of independence will result in independence for South Sudan. If turnout is insufficient, a second referendum will be held within 60 days.
Abyei Referendum
During the same period, a referendum will be held to decide if Abyei wants to be part of Southern Sudan or Northern Sudan.
The oil-rich region of Abyei has been considered a historical bridge between Northern and Southern Sudan. The Greater Nile Oil Pipeline travels through the Abyei area to Port Sudan on the Red Sea via the capital, Khartoum and is vital to the country’s oil exports.
The status of Abyei was one of the most contentious issues in the negotiation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The territory had previously been considered part of the now-abolished state of West Kurdufan. Under the terms of the Protocol, the Abyei area has been declared, on an interim basis, to be simultaneously part of the states of South Kurdufan (North Sudan) and Bahr el Ghazal (South Sudan).
Abyei is currently within North Sudan.