Issues

Displaced Children in Africa.

                                                              Africa's future lies in the hands of the countless

                                                             millions of children who are displaced as a result of

                                                             crises. by the time you finish reading this article, it is

                                                            estimated that the future of another thousand children

                                                            will be hanging in the balance.

Over the past decade, the African continent has been hit by series of internal conflicts. From Burundi, Democratic republic of Congo DRC, to Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, the list seems endless and more African countries are at the verge of becoming conflict zones.
The effects of these crises has over the years had an over bearing effect on these nations and its citizens.

Forced to flee their homes, often traveling great distances to escape enemy fire, these children are the most frequent victims of violence, disease, malnutrition, and death. In the chaos of flight, these boys and girls may become separated from their parents and families and thus exposed to far greater dangers.
Statically, reports show that about 61,900 children are living in 160 sites for the internally displaced in Burundi, and at least 400,000 internally displaced children of primary school going age in Democratic Republic of Congo DRC, while another 935,000 children live in more than 200 camps across northern Uganda.

THE EFFECT
Many of the millions of children living in camps for refugees across Africa endure gruesome

conditions.

The physical and psychological trauma these children undergo not only deprive them of joy, peace and happiness, but exposes them to the danger of becoming threat to their countries which on the long run will impede growth .

(1). Millions of children displaced in their own countries are simply forgotten.

They suffer physical, sexual and mental hardship as a result. In most cases, these children

 are left to live in utter poverty without any legal frame work of appeal or protection from harm. Findings show that these children live in a high risk-hygiene environment which makes them vulnerable to epidemic outbreaks.

(2). Limited access to health care: these children don’t have access to basic health care-facilities, drugs are in short supply at theses camps which over the years have resulted in high child mortality rate from preventable diseases.

(3). Inadequate shelter: most IDP sites are not large enough to accommodate the large

 number of displaced persons, as a result, tents and huts are over crowded which is an

unhealthy environment

for child development.

(4). Desperate need of food and clean

drinking water: Inadequate food supply is about

the most common problem associated to all camps. Women and children are the most affected by this, malnourished children are a common site at all IDP sites. It is estimated that no fewer than 200,000 children die each year of starvation in these camps.

(5). Sexual Abuse: Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) has become an increasing phenomenon in most IDP sites. At least, One out of every Two children surveyed has been a victim of CSA. Most common forms of CSA are (i) touching breasts, buttocks, and sexual parts, (ii) Kissing (iii) sex to meet basic needs (iv) Forced sex/ rape.

(6). Children in camps are most vulnerable to military conscription and other forms of child labor and exploitation.

(7). Limited or no access to education: Children in camps have limited or no access to education. The little resources and man power available in camps are not adequate to deliver qualitative education to displace children. This problem accounts for a great percentage of the high level of illiteracy in crises zones.

For every African country that becomes a crises zone, no less than a 100,000 children become displaced, while their dreams and aspirations of become great leaders and important people is threatened, their dignity and fundamental human rights are also denied.

The negative impact of civil unrest on children cannot be over emphasized. The children are Africa’s future, and for there to be a secured future for Africa, then the future of children must be secured in return.

While the Government, NGOs, CBOs, and Foreign agencies have been working to ease the pain of the untold hardship that children in camps undergo, a lot has to still be done and can still be done. You and I and all young people across the continent of Africa and the world can help dry the tears in the eyes of a displaced African child in whose hands lies the future of Africa. You can make a difference, Your Voice also COUNTS!

This article is a publication of Global Leadership Development Association ©2008.

All rights reserved.

Sources of information and consulted materials;
1. Children Displaced by Conflicts in Africa’s great lakes Region presentation by Vat Kamatsiko (World Vision) 14th March 2007.
2. Africa: Displaced Children Abused. World Vision e-news letter (2nd March, 2007)
3. Strengthening the response to displaced children by Nils Kastberg.
4. UN OCHA 2005.
5. Watch list, June 2003 from the Global IDP Database.
6. UN OCHA May 2006.
7. 2nd pics by World Vision.