Concern grows as war robs South Sudanese child refugees their right to education

With the amount of South Sudanese refugees fleeing to Uganda increasing rapidly, there is a growing concern on the way in which they’re cared for after fleeing conflict and hunger.

They are living in underfunded refugee camps, which are barely able to meet their basic needs. Children, who were born into a conflict that could be traced back decades have fled their homes in hope to find safety, security and a chance at a stable future.

But the lack of education provisions continue to robs them from reaching their full potential. Out of the one million refugees who are expected to be in Uganda by the end of the month, nearly three-quarters of them are children; some of whom, who are as young as 11, making a dangerous journey to Uganda alone.

A summit is due to take place on Thursday, organised by the Ugandan government, the UN and NGOs operating in the refugee camps aims to address the struggles of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda.

Save The Children say they will focus on the plight of children and their right to education.

Over the past year, a refugee population equivalent to that of a city the size of Newcastle has moved into one of the poorest parts of Uganda”, says Kevin Watkins, Chief Executive of Save the Children.

“This is now one of the largest humanitarian crisis in the world and the largest African refugee displacement since the Rwandan genocide. Uganda is the gold standard of how to welcome refugees but it needs international help”, he added.

Save The Children are planning on raising $132 million each year for three and half years to cover the costs of the recruitment of teachers, buying textbooks and constructing schools and classrooms.

They aim to construct 304 new early childhood and primary school sites using semi-permanent classrooms and 110 secondary schools.

The project is already receiving much support, with members of the Ugandan government sharing the concern for the plight of the children.

“As a mother myself, it breaks my heart that children are forced to flee from their homes in South Sudan to Uganda.

Some are alone, desperately scared for their future. Some report witnessing terrible atrocities, the scars of which will last a lifetime. Many have missed school, further stunting their future and life chances,” says Ugandan first lady Janet Museveni.