Save the Children and partners return 58 abducted children and women to their families.

M2 PRESSWIRE-April 7, 2021-: Save the Children and partners return 58 abducted children and women to their families

(C)1994-2021 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

RDATE:06042021

58 children and women previously abducted from their families during inter-communal violence were returned to their families, as part of a Save the Children-led partnership with UNMISS and other agencies.

The children and women were abducted from across the country, including Akobo, Walgak, Pierri, Lankien, Pibor and Maiwut. The children range in age from two to eighteen with some separated from their families for more than five years.

The return and reunification process is the result of a goodwill agreement facilitated by UNMISS with support of community leaders, the Government of South Sudan, Peacebuilding Opportunities Fund, as well as other organizations and agencies.

Save the Children with its local partners were active participants in the peace conversations, as well as leading the family tracing and reunification of women and children. The family tracing and reunification process is being supported by a grant of more than USD $1.5 million to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and Save the Children, through the Reconciliation, Stabilization and Resilience Trust Fund.

Boyoi*, 16, was abducted from Pibor in May 2020 when she was just 15. When her village was attacked by armed youths, her family scattered in different directions. Boyoi, her mother, sisters and brother were all abducted and taken to different locations after the attack. From Pibor, Boyoi found herself in Pieri, a four-day-walk away. Eventually, Boyoi and her mother were identified among other abductees in Pieri and kept under protection by Community Aid Organization, a partner of Save the Children. Boyoi is now back with her family in her home village.

Boyoi said:

"When we were attacked in May 2020, we ran in different directions. My mother, brother and sisters were taken by the attackers into different directions. I didn't know that they were also abducted like me. For me I was also taken alone by the abductors. That was a long journey. It took us four days walking to reach to the abductors town. I didn't know the whereabouts of my parents including my brother and sisters. One day, I came to the market with the daughter of...

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