The juvenile correctional centre in Western Bahr el Ghazal state is currently grappling with a severe shortage of water, leaving the facility’s inmates at risk.
Over the past two months, the water station constructed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has ceased to function, exacerbating the situation.
Lt. Col. Fidele Hawa, the Director of the centre, told Radio Tamazuj on Thursday that the teenage inmates have been forced to search for clean drinking water, jeopardizing their safety and the stability of the facility.
While the ICRC is working to address the issue by attempting to dig a water pump on-site, a long-term solution is urgently needed, she added.
“The first and foremost challenge we face is the lack of water for the past two months within the centre. We have been compelled to fetch water from nearby wells, which has had a detrimental impact on the children,” expressed Hawa.
“Currently, the centre houses a total of 95 children, consisting of 91 boys and four girls. Although the ICRC had previously established a water tank at the centre, it is no longer operational. Despite reporting the issue to the director of prisons, efforts to repair the tank have been hampered by a lack of available technicians. Consequently, the ICRC has committed to organizing the construction of a hand pump for the children,” she added.
Hawa further highlighted the inadequate provision of food, which fails to provide the children with proper nutrition and good health. “We possess enough food to fulfil basic requirements, but the current provisions only offer a monotonous diet. While they receive different types of food on a weekly basis, such as meat on Sundays, their main intake consists of posho, beans, and lentils, which lack sufficient nutritional value,” explained Hawa.
The director further said despite the availability of workshops and training programs offered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in various fields such as mechanics, electricity, gardening, hairdressing, and tailoring, the children lack the physical strength to actively participate.
Hawa appealed to the government and partner organizations to promptly intervene and address the dire situation faced by the more than 90 children currently undergoing rehabilitation at the centre.
Christina Gabriel Ali, the state minister of social welfare, when questioned about her awareness of the challenges confronting the juvenile centre, she acknowledged that the ministry lacked detailed information but confirmed that the centre’s director had been summoned to discuss the issue and explore potential solutions.