Refugee Children in Southern Sudan

Second Sudanese Civil War

Who are Southern Sudanese? Most practice Christianity or traditional beliefs Many belong to the Dinka tribe, but over 200 tribes live here Cattle grazing and farming are traditional work Live in villages and small towns

How the War Began 1980: The Muslim Arab government (in the north) wants oil in the south, so they take land by force Soon, shari’a (Islamic law) is enforced nationally 1983: in protest, southern Sudanese form the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army in Ethiopia

Murhaleen (gov’t backed Arab militias) begin attacking villages in south Villages would be repeatedly destroyed on a monthly basis Murhaleen take some survivors as slaves Omar al Bashir becomes president of Sudan in 1989, tightening his “Islamic” rule

1983: the first Lost Boys begin their walks to Ethiopia 1991: refugees in Ethiopia are forced to leave – Walk to Kakuma, Kenya 1999: the first groups of Lost Boys (about 4,000) are brought to America to live

Who are the Lost Boys? 27,000 Dinka boys (age 7-17) who were displaced or orphaned – They walked to Ethiopia and Kenya The UN, churches and other organizations pay for the boys to come to America and help them start their new life – Go to school, find an apartment and a job

End of the War? Jan. 2005: Peace between north and south South split off in 2011 Both sides must share oil money From , the civil war killed more than 2 million people and 4.5 million are away from home

Problems in Southern Sudan Widespread poverty Underdevelopment: lack of schools, water, sanitation, electricity In 2004, there were only 3 doctors in southern Sudan Many southern Sudanese refugees have not come home Emotional and mental trauma from the experiences of war

Who is a refugee? Refugees: people who flee their country for safety (avoid war, genocide, etc) Some Sudanese have been refugees for decades Others were actually born in the refugee camps Women and children are captured as slaves (cooks, servants, fighters, sexual crimes)

Life In the refugee camp Kakuma means “nowhere” in Swahili Problems with malnutrition, disease Residents are given an ID card and a food ration card Most people live in tents or makeshift houses Eventually schools and activities (sports, theatre) were set up

How does America help refugees? Office of Refugee Resettlement – Training for jobs – English education – Work with churches and other groups to help people adjust and become independent 9870 Sudanese were brought to America under refugee status in 2000 and 2001 – 460 to GA After 9/11, the number of refugees admitted was cut by over 50%