South Sudan launches manual to offer psychosocial support to ex-child soldiers

JUBA, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Thursday launched its first manual to offer psychosocial support services to help rehabilitate and reintegrate thousands of former child soldiers during the five years conflict.

Jean Lieby, Chief of Child Protection of UN Children Fund (UNICEF) , said the facilitator manual of psychosocial support activities and trainers guide will help them reach 150,000 out of 1 million former child soldiers including girls this year alone.

"Over one million children are estimated to experience psychological distress in South Sudan. Currently with its partners, UNICEF is implementing psychosocial support in child friendly spaces in communities, schools across the country," Lieby told journalists in Juba.

He disclosed that the template has been produced specifically for teachers and facilitators.

"It is not a learning tool in the schools, it's a tool to help children to behave better and also have a better sense on how to deal with the difficulties they met during the past difficult events of the conflict," added Lieby.

The manual will not only be instructed in English but also in Arabic and seven other local languages.

He said the manual and guide will be used across the country to improve the quality of psychosocial support and services and ensure child protection minimum standards are met as South Sudan has dearth of qualified psychologists.

"Children associated with armed forces are mainly seen as child soldiers however, girls were also associated with armed forces and groups in large numbers as domestics fetching firewood, water, cooking, carrying supplies and also being sexually abused," said Lieby.

He disclosed that since 2014, one out of 10 children released was a girl, adding that humanitarian organizations find some difficulties in identifying girls within the armed groups because few girls want to be identified for being released in fear of stigmatization during the public release ceremonies.

Regina Ossa Lullo, acting undersecretary in Ministry of Gender Child and Social Welfare lauded the manual as it will support several children in distress including street children and female headed families.

"We have many issues that are facing children in South Sudan, we have of course many street children, many children that are orphans and female headed households all these need support," she said.

Peter Garang Ngor, director of operations for Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (DDRC) said the initiative will go a long way in helping them demobilize and reintegrate former child soldiers.

"This guideline has come at the right time while we are approaching the formation of the transitional unity government (TGoNU) on Nov.12. This one will make everyone who wants to move and assess where the girls or children associated with armed groups are," said Ngor.

Since outbreak of conflict in December 2013, UNICEF has aided the release of some 3,100 out of the total of the number of 19,000 children estimated to be active with various armed groups in South Sudan.

In early August more child soldiers totaling 128 including 90 boys and 38 girls were released from a disbanded rebel group in Yambio located in South Sudan's southern region of Western Equatoria..

UNICEF South Sudan requires 45 million U.S. dollars to support release, demobilization and reintegration of 19,000 children over the next three years. Enditem