By Lodu William Odiya
As the globe commemorates World Refugee Day, poly-crisis situation of refugee and migrant children in South Sudan as well as Sudan takes centre point.
East and Southern Africa Network, in partnership with Child Fund Alliance, Plan International, Save the Children International, SOS Children’s Village, and World Vision International, highlighted the plight.
To honor the courage and resilience of millions forced to flee war, violence, and persecution, refugees experience conflict, high living costs, food insecurity, climate shocks, disease outbreaks, and shrinking donor funds.
According to the network, children, especially girls and those with disabilities, suffer the most; facing hunger, malnutrition, violence, disrupted education, lack of peace and security.
“South Sudan has seen a resurgence of conflict, complicating the situation for returnees from Sudan trying to come back to their homeland,” the statement read.
The network also noted a global humanitarian funding crisis that has led to reductions in essential food and humanitarian aid, forcing charities to prioritize the most urgent needs.
Recent research conducted by World Vision revealed that 97% of families surveyed in South Sudan had experienced someone going an entire day and night without food due to insufficient supplies.
“Children in families facing moderate or severe food insecurity were seven times more likely to attend school irregularly, five times more likely to experience increased violence at home, and six times more likely to be forced into marriage,” the statement added.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, noted in his message for the commemoration that over 122 million people worldwide have been uprooted from their homes, with their ability to find safety and support threatened as never before.
“The abject failure to end conflicts—from Sudan to Ukraine, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Gaza—continues to create untold human suffering. Yet innocent people fleeing for their lives are unjustly stigmatized, making it harder to escape danger and find a place to recover and rebuild,” he stated.
Grandi emphasized that brutal cuts to humanitarian aid are choking off assistance, threatening the lives of millions who desperately need help.
“At this critical juncture, it is vital that we reaffirm our solidarity with refugees, not just with words but with urgent action. Thankfully, there are many examples to inspire us: countries on the edges of war zones that continue to welcome and host refugees, local communities that open their homes and hearts to displaced people, and countless acts of kindness that reveal our common humanity.”
He added, “Support often comes from those with few resources to share, and in places facing major economic challenges. Wealthier states, development banks, businesses, and many others can and must share the responsibility for protecting refugees. Such acts of solidarity will enable this generosity to continue.”
“Now more than ever, we must stand with refugees to keep their hopes for a better future alive. This World Refugee Day and every day, governments, institutions, companies, and individuals can demonstrate that by helping those caught in senseless conflicts, we move toward greater stability, humanity, and justice for all. If we do so, I promise that refugees will bring their courage, spirit, and ingenuity to the task of creating a better, brighter tomorrow,” Filippo Grandi appealed.