Concern over fate of 21,000 people trapped in South Sudan

Statement: Save the Children Calls for Protection of Children Affected by South Sudan Conflict

WESTPORT, Conn. (February 19, 2014) — Save the Children is concerned about the fate of more than 21,000 people trapped inside a United Nations base in Malakal, South Sudan, as renewed fighting between government and opposition-led forces rages around them. The renewed fighting, which violates a ceasefire agreed on Jan. 23. 2014, is placing even more children at risk of death, injury, displacement and separation from their parents.

Since the conflict began just more than two months ago, 850,000 people have been forced from their homes and thousands, including children, have been killed. Save the Children’s staff in Bor reported last week that a large number of those being buried in mass graves were children. We are extremely worried that further violence in and around Malakal will place the lives of more children in danger.

Since the conflict began, Save the Children has registered more than 1,250 separated and missing children, many of whom lost their parents in the fighting. A continuation of violence means that this number will rise and that some children will be displaced and separated for a second or third time.

Save the Children calls on all parties to abide by the commitments under the ceasefire agreement and to ensure the protection and care of children who have been affected in this conflict.

ENDS

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