Courtesy photo

The United Nations’ children agency (UNICEF) has supported the government in reintegrating over 4000 children over the past seven to eight years, according to chief of Child Protection.

“In the last seven or eight years, we have supported the government of South Sudan and the DDR commission in particular in reintegrating over 4000 children, ” said Brendan Ross during the commemoration of the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers on Wednesday in Juba

He, however, said the agency has taken note that there are children involved in intercommunal violence, gangs and are moving to very dangerous lives in South Sudan

He said there is need for partners to work together in not only ending child recruitment in the formal sense, but also making sure children are continuing safe childhoods outside of war and the conflict.

“We also want to take note that there are children involved in intercommunal violence, there are children involved in gangs and children moving into very, very dangerous lives here in South Sudan.”

“We need to work together to make sure that we are not only ending child recruitment in the formal sense, but also making sure children are continuing safe childhoods outside of the war and the conflict.”

Ross added through the efforts of the police force, Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Ministry of Defense, and the SSPDF, they can create an environment that is conducive for safety of children.

“We need to make sure through the efforts of the police force, through the efforts of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, through the efforts of the Ministry of Defense and the SSPDF, that we’re creating an environment that is conducive for safety,” he added.