The conflict has had major consequence on education among other key sectors with destruction of school facilities among other key community support structures; which has had a serious impact on access to protective education for thousands of vulnerable boys, girls and youth, and is likely to continue. Education standards in the country still lag behind with indicators being ranked lowest in the world and have deteriorated further due to the ongoing conflict, which has forced more than one million children and adolescents out of school. Boys and girls from the displaced communities are also facing a myriad of protection related issues especially girls who have to fetch firewood and water in unfamiliar environments face the risk of rape or forced marriages; Boys have to take care of cattle thereby risking fighting with host and other communities, due to crop damage by animals; hence the need for safe protected learning spaces where they can interact with their peers and learn life skills and an opportunity for lost children to be reunified with their parents. Early Child hood education (ECD) is virtually non-existent as the youngest boys and girls are often left at home while older ones undertake livelihoods actions.
To mitigate the impact of the conflict on Education, CARD will undertake the following actions;
Construction of Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) and Rehabilitation of damaged classrooms and other facilities; these facilities also serve as reference points for identification of lost children with the aim of facilitating reunification
Training of PTAs, Teachers and Local Leaders on Psychosocial Support and Conflict-sensitive Life skills including supporting relevant messaging;
Distribution of school supplies that include teaching and learning as well as recreation materials;
Advocacy actions aimed at ensuring that armed actors, IDPs and other vacate learning facilities; also included is intensive awareness creation on the importance of education particularly of girls.
Agriculture, Livestock Production and Natural Resource Management:
CARD helps families produce more food and increase their income while managing their natural resources and preserving the environment for future generations. CARD works with farmers to increase their crop and livestock yields through activities such as planting new seed varieties, improved animal husbandry techniques etc., home gardening and irrigation. CARD in collaboration with UNFAO implemented integrated Food Security and Livelihoods Project in Nagero and Mvolo Counties Western Equatoria State involving supporting increased agricultural production through distribution of vegetable seed, treadle pumps and in addition to relevant training; and training of Community Based Animal Health Workers to support livestock productivity through improved livestock disease treatment and control.