Restoring hope for children in communities affected by conflict
The crisis in the Lake Chad basin has worsened the already precarious living conditions of the people of the Far North. The effects of poverty and the Boko haram crisis have made communities more vulnerable. In Logone and Chari, many children can no longer dream, marked by the trauma caused by this crisis, they live in absolute precariousness.
UNICEF, with the support of the Government of Japan, is developing activities to promote the social stability of these children affected by the Lake Chad Basin crisis by establishing a safe environment that protects them from harmful practices and exposure to exploitation and violent abuse.
Since June 2019, some 1,672 children have received psychosocial support and many unaccompanied children received home visit in their spontaneous foster families. Individual psychosocial support and need evaluation was carried out in their different homes to provide appropriate support. Thanks to Japan’s financial contribution, 28 adolescent clubs have been established with 20 members (10 girls and 10 boys per club). Thus, 560 members (280 girls and 280 boys) are involved in 28 villages in Logone and Chari. The activities highlighted in these clubs are; sensitization of their peers on the right to educate girls and the negative effects of child marriage, prevention of recruitment into armed groups, the importance of having a birth certificates, individual and group counseling with social workers and psychologist, recreational activities at the Child Friendly spaces and Income Generating Activities. These activities will reduce the burdens on basic needs and allow them to meet their small needs (buying pen, notebooks) and develop in them the concept of solidarity and living together.
Group discussions and sensitization sessions with traditional community opinion leaders, youth leaders are also organized to strengthen advocacy on child protection issues.
This project will enable communities affected by the conflict to be empowered to prevent and respond to violence and become actors of peace-building in crisis-affected areas in the region of Logone and Chari and in the the Far North.
