Canada should mobilize the international community to take action
now to avoid a humanitarian disaster in Northern Uganda, says Lloyd
Axworthy, CEO of UBC’s Liu Centre for Global Issues which today
released a report on the crisis.
"Our research reveals a crisis in the making in Northern Uganda,"
said Axworthy. "With the present Canadian leadership on Africa,
and the Prime Minister’s visit, there is an opportunity for Canada
to help avoid a massive tragedy affecting thousands of innocent
children."
The Liu Centre report addresses the looming human emergency in
Uganda where thousands of Acholi children abducted by the Lord’s
Resistance Army (LRA), a Ugandan rebel sect, are at risk of being
killed. The war on terrorism has intensified Ugandan military action
against the LRA in Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan. NGO’s are
estimating that thousands of abducted children will flee. The report
calls for action to rescue the children held hostage by the LRA,
and fund a de-mining exercise in the North.
Many LRA combatants are children who were forced conscripts and
are now hostages. Despite appeals from the Northern Uganda-based
Concerned Parent Association, local tribal governments and the Save
the Children Alliance, little is being done to protect them from
harm and death.
More than 11,000 children in Northern Uganda have been kidnapped
by the LRA and forced to serve and fight its battles, and kill or
maim members of their own communities. Many girls are sexually enslaved
by rebel commanders. Thousands more have been starved, displaced,
attacked and deprived of basic human needs and security.
"This is a region already devastated by civil war and Ebola,
where 400,000 people reside in internal displacement camps,"
said report author Dr. Patricia Spittal, a Liu Centre research associate
and anthropologist at the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.
"On top of this, it’s home to one of most enduring child hostage
situations in the world. It’s clear that the war on terrorism has
huge implications for children. Our report suggests that something
needs to be done immediately to rescue these children."
The Liu Centre has been working with development partners in Uganda
to address the risks to war-affected children, and establish a regional
center for peace there.
The report’s recommendations include: taking action on rescuing
the children held hostage by the LRA; funding a landmine mapping
exercise and de-mining training; and developing a regional human
security and peace building centre.
To read the full report, visit the Liu Centre Web site at: www.liucentre.ubc.ca.
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