In Brief: Insecurity hurting education in Southern Sudan
NAIROBI, 8 May 2009 (IRIN) - Violence and localised conflict in Southern Sudan have prevented schools from opening and discouraged parents from sending children to school, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said.
Thousands of children are believed to have been displaced from their homes in attacks by the Ugandan rebel Lord's Resistance Army in Central and Western Equatoria states, while clashes between communities in Jonglei, Lakes and Warrap states are believed to have led to the death and abduction of children.
In Pibor County, Jonglei, more than 140 children have reportedly been abducted. Others were feared to have been among 450 people believed killed in Pibor and 170 killed in Akobo County.
"Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, progress in primary education and healthcare has been a positive example of the valuable peace dividends benefiting the children of Southern Sudan," UNICEF said in a statement. "These gains are being jeopardised by the current level of violence."
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Theme(s): (IRIN) Children, (IRIN) Conflict
[ENDS]
Copyright © IRIN 2009
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