Protection for children and women affected by the conflict in Sudan

finished

The crisis in Sudan which erupted in April 2023 has led to a significant influx of more than 750’000 arrivals in South Sudan by beginning of August 2024, straining the very limited services at the border points and destination areas. The newly arrived populations are settling in areas already facing significant gaps in terms of service provision. The country's fragile system is under immense pressure, and public services cannot meet the basic needs of the refugee population, such as food, water, hygiene, and sanitation as well as access to health services.

Gorom Refugee Camp is a camp on the outskirts of the capital Juba, with currently over 14,000 refugees or returnees from Sudan estimated to be living there. Since UNHCR has officially stopped registering new arrivals, many returnees and refugees live informally either in the camp or in precarious conditions in other areas in Juba town. Women have a lack of privacy and inadequate personal space, as men and women are forced to sleep side by side in open areas. Exploitation and abuse are widespread, including conflict-related sexual violence, gender-based violence (GBV), and concerns about child safety. The weak capacity to cope where the refugees and returnees are settling is worsening the risks and vulnerabilities for both the local population and the refugees/returnees. Those living in town face similar protection risks as those in the camp but lack access to assistance and other support from NGOs.

The project’s goal is to provide protection and treatment for children and girls/women who have suffered trauma and are now in Gorom camp and in surrounding areas of Juba town. The project will have two main goals which consist of 1) improved psychosocial wellbeing and protection for vulnerable children, and 2) improved protection and support for vulnerable women and girls.

The project aims to raise awareness and combat exploitation by engaging with community leaders, religious and political authorities and health personnel both inside and outside the camp. This will be achieved through trainings and community dialogue sessions on protection and risk mitigation. Psychosocial support staff, legal and medical personnel, will receive training on GBV concerns and case management. Additional support will involve raising community awareness on child protection, women/girl protection and women's rights. The project will also identify the protection needs of vulnerable children, particularly unaccompanied, abandoned, or separated children, and coordinate referrals to other organizations for support. The most vulnerable children will receive clothing and shoes. The activities also include the establishment of safe spaces for children on the one hand and for women and girls on the other hand, so that children have a space to feel safe and to play, and that women and girls have a space where they can get counselling and support. Community-based child protection networks will also be part of the project. These networks will serve as communal network of persons who know about child protection risks, who can raise awareness within the community, and can report any case of child exploitation or abuse or any other risk issue.