ACERWC Delegation arrived in Juba to assess the situation of children affected by the armed conflict

JUBA, South Sudan, August 4, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Delegation of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) and its Secretariat led by Prof.Julia Sloth-Nielsen, arrived in the afternoon, at the Juba Airport to conduct an advocacy mission on the situation of children affected by the conflict. The Mission is undertaken following the concerns of the Committee on the humanitarian challenges hindering the protection and well-being of children expressed in its Resolution adopted during its 23rd Ordinary Session (09-16 April, 2014) in Addis Ababa.

The one-week advocacy mission aims to “advocate for improved protection and response to children affected by the armed conflict. Advocacy for ratification of the African Children’s Charter by the Republic of South Soudan in honor of children in South sudan and in Africa is also a priority of the Committee during this mission” said Prof. Sloth-Nielsen during the Media Briefing in the VIP Hall of the Juba Airport.

The Advocacy Mission of the ACERWC in South sudan provides an opportunity for identifying children’s needs and existing supports in the current context of armed conflicts.

High level meetings with government officials will be held as well as consultations with Civil Societies Organizations. A meeting with the National Child

Rights Coalition of South Sudan will take place on 07 August, 2014.Field visits to Bor

(Jonglei State) and Minkaman (Lakes State) to gather the direct views of children affected and their needs will be conducted on Tuesday, 05 August, 2014 in collaboration with UNHCR and UNICEF with the logistics support of the UNMISS.

A Press Conference on the unfolding of the mission will be held on 08 August 2014, 11:00 AM at the Juba Grand Hotel. Media representatives are hereby invited to attend the Press Conference. A report on the outcome of the mission will be presented after the mission.