To boost child protection, reinsertion: DDR Committee, Int’l Organisation for Migration seal deal.

Officials took the commitment Friday November 10. This was at the end of a two-day workshop in Yaounde. 

Discussions during the workshop focused on the needs of children associated with armed groups in conflict zones of the North West, South West and Far North Regions.

The workshop was organised with the support of the Ministry of Social Affairs. Operationalising the referral system of children involved in conflict areas was also another high point of focus.

At the end of the exchanges, participants came up with an action plan to implement the needs of children associated with armed groups. 

This touched on education, health, protection, nutrition and the socio-economic integration of young people. They also validated the technical level aspects of the referencing system in place.

The representative of the Minister of Social Affairs used the opportunity to reaffirm government's commitment and determination to support IOM and the NDDR in disarming and reintegrating children in society.

Cross-section of attendees after fresh commitments

According to the IOM Head of Mission, Abdel Rahmane Diop, in the Far North Region, the vulnerability of children in conflict zones is a call for concern.

In the last five years, Diop said: “We have been working with the DDR. This time, we have worked to produce an assessment on the issue of children. We will continue to work to mobilise aid for children, to meet their primary needs. Beyond this response, there is also the psycho-social care aspect”.

At the end of the workshop, several recommendations were made. These included: profiling the children, ensuring continuity in their schooling to prevent them from dropping out of school, providing educational structures with infrastructure such as classrooms, tables and benches, latrine blocks and didactic and recreational materials.

They also agreed on stepping up awareness-raising campaigns on maternal, neonatal and child health, implement the identification and search for foster families to provide alternative care, ensuring equitable food distribution and supply, taking into account children, young girls, people with reduced mobility. Providing vocational training for adolescents and young people also featured among recommendations.

The institutions also talked about a possible Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the United Nations system with regard to the management of children associated with conflict.