ICRC airlifted 40 abductees to Malakal

ICRC airlifted 40 abductees to Malakal

At least 40 people who were allegedly kidnapped from the Upper Nile fighting have been reunited with their families in Malakal.

The victims were flown back to Malakal by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

They were allegedly kidnapped by armed forces during the fighting in the Upper Nile.

The rescued abductees were handed over to the ICRC​​ yesterday after being separated from their families for months.

They included 29 children, nine women, and two men, according to the ICRC.

“It is a great joy for us to be able to help these children, women, and men return to their families,” said Pierre Dorbes, the head of the ICRC delegation in Juba.

“It is very fulfilling to contribute to reuniting families that have been separated due to conflict and violence.”

A team from the ICRC examined the newly released people on Wednesday and determined that they were well enough to travel. The 40 children and adults were abducted between November and December 2022 during a violent conflict in Fashoda County, Upper Nile State, last year. 

The medical support crew traveled with them and was ready to attend to any roadside medical emergencies. According to the organization, the ICRC was not a part of the negotiations that led up to the release.

Children are especially at risk during times of armed conflict. Children who are impacted by hostilities are entitled to special respect and protection under international humanitarian law, and they cannot be unjustly deprived of their freedom, said the ICRC.  ​​

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