11 February 2015 - UNICEF is applauding the release of another 300 children from an armed group in Jonglei State, the second UN-backed demobilization of child soldiers in less than a month.

“For every child released, it’s the chance for a new life,” UNICEF South Sudan Representative Jonathan Veitch said in a statement issued earlier today.

Two weeks ago, an initial group of 249 children – ranging from 11 to 17 years of age – was released by the South Sudan Democratic Army (SSDA) Cobra Faction at the village of Gumuruk in Jonglei state.

The release was marked by a ceremony overseen by UNICEF and the South Sudan National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission, with child soldiers reportedly surrendering their weapons and uniforms. Further phased releases of the children are planned over the coming month.

According to the UN agency, some child soldiers have been fighting for up to four years and many have never attended school. In the last year alone, 12,000 children, mostly boys, have been recruited and used as soldiers by armed forces and groups in South Sudan as a whole.

The security situation in South Sudan deteriorated steadily over the past year since political in-fighting between South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar, began in mid-December 2013.

Hostilities subsequently turned into a full-fledged conflict that has sent nearly 100,000 civilians fleeing to UNMISS bases around the country. The crisis has uprooted an estimated 1.9 million people and placed more than 7 million at risk of hunger and disease.

In the two weeks since the first group’s release, 179 children have returned home to their families and 70 others continue to live in the UNICEF-supported interim care centre as family tracing and reunification efforts are carried out.

Meanwhile, the 300 children released in the current demobilization will spend their first night in an interim care centre, where they will be provided with food, water and clothing as well as health and psychosocial services.

“We are witnessing the negative consequences that being in an armed group has had on the boys,” Mr. Veitch said. “Some are withdrawn while others exhibit violent and aggressive behaviour. Instead of playing, they march up and down.”

“To avoid the risk of re-recruitment and to ensure that each child can fulfil their potential, they need a protective environment where they not only receive food and water, but also counseling, life skills and the opportunity to go back to school.”

UNICEF had chartered flights and delivered truckloads of water and sanitation, education and health supplies to support the children and maintained 10 staff on the ground to oversee the release and reintegration programme, the statement said.

The agency estimates the costs for the release and reintegration of each child at $2,330 for a two-year period. Although some funding has been forthcoming, UNICEF is appealing for an additional $13 million.