United Nations – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that the future of Burundian children is being compromised due to escalating violence in that country.
This is contained in a statement issued by UNICEF’s Regional Director in Eastern and Southern Africa, Leila Gharagozloo-Pakkala on Wednesday.
It quoted the regional director as saying:”children must not pay the price for the crisis in Burundi”.
According to UNICEF, since the beginning of the crisis in Burundi in April, child rights violations have multiplied, with children being caught up in violent clashes and raids.
The organisation also said that schools were being hit by grenade blasts and more than 100 children were arbitrarily detained, at times for long periods alongside adult prisoners.
Additionally, UNICEF reported that food price in the region is accelerating sharply when more than four out of five Burundians already living on less than 1.25 dollars a day.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
This, UNICEF said, was making it very difficult for many families to adequately feed their children.
UNICEF also raised concern about the shortages of essential medicines for children and mothers.
It added that it was imperative that there was continued investment in children, from protection to healthcare, even at such times.
It also estimates indicate that more than 200,000 people from Burundi have fled into neighbouring Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This, the organisation also said included 6,000 unaccompanied or separated children.
UNICEF reported that these children face mountainous terrain and security checkpoints on fleeing Burundi, as well as dangers of sexual abuse, trafficking or further violence.
It apealed for 25 million dollars to support its humanitarian response for children and families affected by the crisis in Burundi.
The amount, it said, was to facilitate lifesaving services and supplies for children in Burundi as well as Burundian refugees in Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
At present, UNICEF said that the appeal was barely one-quarter funded.(NAN)
