Assessment of Services Provision and Challenges of South Sudanese Unaccompanied Refugee Children in Jewi Refugee Camp
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Date
2017-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study assesses the services provision and challenges of South Sudanese unaccompanied
refugee children in Jewi refugee camp. The study adapted the constructivist philosophical stance
with single case study design. Unaccompanied refugee children had been considered as unit of
analysis. Thus, purposive sampling was employed to gather data from children, caregivers and
social workers. Ten children, five key informants and twelve participants who are also children
(males and females) had participated in focus group discussion. Thematic analysis was used to
analyze the research findings. The study identified tribal conflict as fundamental factor and
geographical proximity as well as families’ disintegration to be among the immediate factors that
forced children to Ethiopia. Educational services, basic services and health services had been
identified as services provided to unaccompanied refugee children. Moreover, psychological and
environmental factors were identified to be among the challenges faced by children. Others
identified challenges include: children restriction from social activities, cultural difference,
gender role, problem of training opportunities, shortage of access to basic necessities and
limitation of healthcare services. It is sensed that to be an unaccompanied refugee child limited
access from social interaction. Therefore, gender training for caregivers and social workers,
psychosocial support training for social workers, provision of vocational trainings and skills to
unaccompanied are recommended
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Keywords
South Sudanese; unaccompanied refugee children; services provision; Jewi Refugee Camp