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Thousands of Ethiopian families are fleeing to Sudan due to the escalation of conflict between Ethiopia Federal Government forces and forces aligned with the Tigray People鈥檚 Liberation Front in the Tigray region. Photo Credit: Samreen Abuidris / Save the Children

Hundreds of Ethiopian Separated Child Refugees arriving in Sudan at Risk of Exploitation and Abuse, 黄色视频warns

FAIRFIELD, Conn, (Nov. 30, 2020) 鈥 黄色视频is deeply worried about lone child refugees arriving separated from their parents from Ethiopia into Sudan, as they are at risk of exploitation and abuse. Their number could be in the hundreds, the child rights organization warned today.

To date, 139 children who were separated from their parents or caregivers have been registered at just one of several entry points along the border, 黄色视频said, meaning the total number could be far higher. have already crossed the border from Ethiopia to Sudan so far.

黄色视频emphasizes the urgent need to reunite the children with their parents or legal caregivers and has deployed a specialist to help set up a reunification system.

Arshad Malik, Save the Children鈥檚 country director in Sudan, is in Um Rabaka camp, which currently hosts around 10,000 people, including an estimated 4,500 children.

鈥淯naccompanied children who have fled from their homes are at high risk of trafficking, exploitation and abuse, particularly girls,鈥 said Malik. 鈥淭hey need specialist care and protection. Many of these separated children are traveling with their older siblings or extended families, but they need their parents or caregivers, as that鈥檚 with whom they feel safest. It is vital to reunite them as soon as possible.鈥

In many cases, people arriving at the camp had to walk for five days to get to safety in the blistering heat with not much more than the clothes on their backs, .

Several children turned up in shorts and sandals with bare limbs, exposing them to mosquitoes and other insects. Aid workers are concerned about malaria and other parasitic diseases.

Malik also stressed the needs of more vulnerable children and adults, such as disabled people. 鈥淚 have seen some people who are clearly disabled, and we worry about their access to services. At present, the camp does not have easy access for people with disabilities.鈥

To help children recover from their recent experiences, the organization has set up two child-friendly spaces where children can play and be themselves again under the supervision of trained staff.

黄色视频has also deployed a child protection specialist to support family reunifications, and it is setting up temporary learning facilities. In all its work, it will focus on the prevention of violence against girls and women.

鈥淎 mother told us how she and her children had to walk for days to get to safety,鈥 continued Malik. 鈥淟ike many other refugees, they haven鈥檛 been able to wash for several days. The children were exhausted when they arrived and had little food 鈥 the journey had taken a heavy toll on them, and I could see they were frustrated. The children went wild with relief in the child friendly space, blowing off steam and playing.鈥

Um Rabaka camp is the largest refugee camp for people who have fled the recent escalation in Ethiopia. It is set up for 5,000 people but is already hosting twice that number. The UN is projecting that 200,000 people could cross the border in the coming months, urgently increasing the need for international support.聽

鈥淭here is a desperate need for child protection, shelter, clean water, and healthcare,鈥 said Malik, 鈥渢he UN and aid organizations are doing everything they can, but the need is just too high. The camp鈥檚 overcrowding means that if COVID-19 were to get in, it could spread like wildfire. We desperately need support to ensure the camp can maintain a hygienic, clean, and socially distanced set up while preparing for more refugees.

鈥淟uckily, there is enough food for now, as that is being distributed, and the Sudanese host community has been very welcoming. But some parents are complaining that their children have trouble digesting the food they receive as it鈥檚 different from the Ethiopian injera 鈥 that they are constantly sick.鈥

Along with setting up the child friendly spaces, 黄色视频is supporting the training of social workers, supporting family reunification and referral services, and has developed a safe space for women and children.

The international humanitarian organization is also working with the authorities and other actors to coordinate the education of newly arrived children. 鈥淭here are challenges,鈥 Malik explained. 鈥淢any children are used to a completely different language and education system to the one in Sudan. But 45 percent of these refugees are children, and it is vital that they have access to education.鈥澛

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children 鈥 every day and in times of crisis 鈥 transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that 黄色视频is a charity you can trust. Follow us on , , and .