The UN children’s agency UNICEF says it is working to prevent the abduction of children during cattle raiding attacks.
UNICEF Country Representative for South Sudan Yasmin Haque told reporters in Juba yesterday that in Jongeli state alone more than 500 children were abducted in the last few years and registered 100 children missing in Pibor.She said UNICEF is working with the state government to ensure the abducted children are traced and returned to their parents.
Ms Haque said ending child abduction can only be possible if warring communities can dialogue with each other.
She added that last year UNICEF organised dialogue meetings among the communities in Jonglei state and the event was seen as eye opener to the rival communities.
Ms Haque urged community leaders to help identify abducted children to return them to their parents.
She said her agency will continue to work with the government to ensure children are protected in situations of armed conflict.