SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR LIBERIA CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE END TO USE OF CHILD SOLDIERS, KEY ELEMENT FOR LONG-TERM PEACE

SPECIAL HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR LIBERIA CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE END

TO USE OF CHILD SOLDIERS, KEY ELEMENT FOR LONG-TERM PEACE

MONROVIA, 22 September (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) -- The United Nations Special Humanitarian Coordinator for Liberia, Ross Mountain, today backed a call from the Security Council for all parties to the conflict to immediately cease their use of child soldiers.

“While estimates of the number of child soldiers vary greatly, possibly numbering as many as 15,000, what is clear is that these young boys and girls are a priority target group for the humanitarian community, and a key element in long-term success of the overall peace process”, said Mr. Mountain.

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Council last week established the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), including the creation of a stabilization force for a period of 12 months, effective on 1 October 2003.

The Special Humanitarian Coordinator praised the inclusion of key humanitarian, protection and access elements in the unanimous adoption of resolution 1509 (2003).  In establishing UNMIL, the Council, called on all parties to pay special attention to gender issues and the protection of children -– including an immediate end to use of child soldiers.

Mr. Mountain said all United Nations agencies, particularly the United Nations children's agency, UNICEF, and their implementing partners across Liberia, have a vital role to play.

“Many of these children have never been to school before.  Many are severely traumatized by the horrors of war, they have themselves been subjected to abuse, and have virtually no means with which to support themselves outside their existing ‘rebel’ structures.  A concerted effort must be made to both reintegrate and equip these children with the necessary skills that will enable them to rebuild their live”, emphasized Mr. Mountain.

In addition to support for the ceasefire and the peace process, the United Nations Mission will provide support for humanitarian and human rights initiatives, including protection of civilians and United Nations and humanitarian staff.

For further information, please call Nicholas McGowan +377 47 530 433 (OCHA Liberia); Stephanie Bunker +212 963 1143 (OCHA NY), Elizabeth Byrs +41 22 917 2653 (OCHA Geneva). 

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