Assessing Post-Conflict Adjustment Mechanisms for Addressing Problems of Vulnerable Children in Jonglei State, South Sudan By Save the Children Organization

Abstract

ABSTRACT Armed conflict has been going on in the South Sudan since 1956.The children living in this region have been subjected to a wide range of problems as a result of the conflict. The conflict has created a living environment that is very different from that of a normal child. Numerous research have been carried out to establish the post conflict problems experienced by children and effect on children adjustments (Grynch & Fischan,1990).The weakness identified in these research is lack of clarity on the specification of the problems encountered by the vulnerable children, extent to which the post conflict adjustment mechanisms used and the challenges encountered during the implementation of these mechanisms as most studies are focusing on conflict resolutions and monitoring and effects of conflict on women.These children need help in order to adjust to normal life. The Save the Children South Sudan is an international NGO that uses various adjustments mechanisms/methods to help protect children in post conflict environment. Despite all these efforts it is still not clear on the specification of the problems encountered by the children after the conflicts, the extent to which post conflict adjustment mechanisms used by Save the Children and the challenges facing these mechanisms. The purpose of the study was to assess the post conflict adjustment mechanisms for addressing problems of vulnerable children in Jonglei State South Sudan by Save the Children. The study examined these interventions to establish if they are indeed designed to address the needs of the vulnerable children. The main objective of the study was to assess the post conflict adjustments mechanisms used by Save the Children to address the problems of vulnerable children in conflict affected area of Jonglei State of South Sudan. The specific objectives were to establish the post conflict problems experienced by children in Jonglei state of South Sudan; to determine the extent to which post conflict adjustment mechanisms used by Save the Children address the problems of vulnerable children in Jonglei state and to examine the challenges of implementing post conflicts adjustment methods as used by Save the Children. The study adopted a cross sectional survey design. The study population was 150 respondents, which included children and adults in households in conflict prone areas. Simple random sampling was used to draw samples from the population, with a sample of 108 household heads and all the faith leaders, government officials and Save the children officials. Data was collected through closed and open ended questionnaires, interview schedules and focus group discussions. The data was collected mainly from primary source and secondary which was systematically organized to facilitate analysis. Descriptive analysis was used to describe the main characteristics of a collection of data. Quantitative data was analysed since it provided quantifiable and easy to understand results from all responses from each questionnaire by the use of IBM SPSS Version 21.Consequently, qualitative data was coded and analysed using NVivo Version 10. Analysis performed determined the adequacy of information, usefulness and consistency The study findings revealed that the post violence problems that children experienced depression and trauma (42%),change of behavior, 64%, overreaction, 65%, loss of friends (50%) and orphanage (48%).The proposed mechanisms that were put in place by the Save the Children to address the problems of vulnerable children in Jonglei state were practiced to a large extent as indicated by means that ranged from 2.64-4.22. The main challenges faced ranged from Consistent conflicts (M=3.55) between communities to cattle rustling (M=4.16). The study concluded that there were psychological, economic and physical post conflict problems, post conflict adjustment mechanisms were used to a large extent, and the main challenges were security related. The study recommended intensive counseling for the children, improvement of post conflict adjustment mechanisms and immediate address of the challenges by the stakeholders.The results of this study can be used by the government and other stakeholders such as NGOs to improve the design of post conflict adjustment mechanisms for children.