21 January 2014 - Seven unaccompanied children were among 18 internally displaced people (IDPs) who arrived in the Northern Bahr El-Ghazal capital Aweil today from Rubkona County in Unity State.

IDP Adhok Akok said when fighting started in Bentiu, they took refuge in the UNMISS compound. But after the government recaptured the town earlier this month, they made a decision to leave the state.

Using public commercial transport, the IDPs set off for Aweil.

“These children were crying without their parents, so I took them for their safety and welfare,” she said. “Four of their mothers have contacted us, but we do not know the whereabouts of the others.”

Ms. Akok thanked Aweil residents for giving the children food and asked for more support, as she was also a new arrival in the area.

The state’s Relief and Rehabilitation Commission director, Deng Kuel Kuel, described the situation as “terrible”.

“(When) they reported to my office this morning, I interviewed them and confirmed seven children (arrived without) their parents,” he said. “I talked to the social welfare department in order to identify the families or relatives.”