ICRC Skip navigation

Home icon Home | What's new | Contacts

ICRCInternational Committee of the Red Cross
Resource centre
  • Who we are
    • Who we are - International Committee of the Red Cross
    • Mandate and mission
    • Structure
    • Finances
    • Working for the ICRC
    • The Movement
    • History
    • Funds and medals
    • Contacts
  • What we do
    • What we do - ICRC activities on behalf of people affected by war
    • Visiting detainees
    • Protecting civilians
    • Reuniting families
    • Ensuring economic security
    • Water and habitat
    • Health
    • Cooperation with National Societies
    • Building respect for IHL
    • Safeguarding health care
    • Other activities
  • Where we work
    • Where we work - the ICRC worldwide
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia & Pacific
    • Europe & Central Asia
    • Middle East
  • War & law
    • War & law - the legal basis for our action
    • Treaties and customary law
    • Contemporary challenges for IHL
    • Protected persons
    • Conduct of hostilities
    • Weapons
    • Emblem
    • IHL in domestic law
    • International criminal jurisdiction
    • IHL and other legal regimes
  • Resource centre
    • Resource centre - Search
    • Publications and films
    • Photos
    • Maps
    • International review
    • Annual report
    • IHL databases
    • Library and research services
    • ICRC Archives
    • Events
    • Other sites
    • Gift shop
    • Video newsroom
    • Search
  • Send page

Central African Republic: Fourteen former child soldiers reunited with their parents

14-06-2013 Photo gallery

On 1 June 2013, fourteen children were finally reunited with their families, some of them after years of separation. The children had all been recruited into armed groups or the armed forces. Before returning home, they spent several months at a demobilization and rehabilitation centre in Bangui, where they were kept busy with games and given business or tailoring training. The aim of these activities was to help the children overcome their traumatic experience and regain as much of a normal life as possible. (Please note that the children's real names are not used.)

  • Some of the children's families live far from Bangui and it would take weeks to reach them by car. What's more, certain overland routes are only usable for six months of the year. The ICRC helps the children keep in touch with their parents by delivering handwritten Red Cross messages containing personal news.
    • Some of the children's families live far from Bangui and it would take weeks to reach them by car. What's more, certain overland routes are only usable for six months of the year. The ICRC helps the children keep in touch with their parents by delivering handwritten Red Cross messages containing personal news.
      © ICRC / Romaric Bekourou
  • It was through a Red Cross message that Mariam learnt the devastating news of her father's death. Her return home will be bittersweet, but the joy of seeing her mother again will help to ease the pain.
    • It was through a Red Cross message that Mariam learnt the devastating news of her father's death. Her return home will be bittersweet, but the joy of seeing her mother again will help to ease the pain.
      © ICRC / Romaric Bekourou
  • On 1 June 2013, after nine months at the centre in Bangui, it is finally time for the children to leave. An ICRC plane takes them home, where their families eagerly await their return.
    • On 1 June 2013, after nine months at the centre in Bangui, it is finally time for the children to leave. An ICRC plane takes them home, where their families eagerly await their return.
      © ICRC / Romaric Bekourou
  • When the ICRC plane lands, there are cries of joy as mothers and fathers rush to hug their children.
    • When the ICRC plane lands, there are cries of joy as mothers and fathers rush to hug their children.
      © ICRC / Romaric Bekourou
  • After nine months of training – three in Ndélé and six in Bangui – I'm returning home with new skills under my belt, says 15-year-old Boubou. I'm going to become a tailor.
    • "After nine months of training – three in Ndélé and six in Bangui – I'm returning home with new skills under my belt," says 15-year-old Boubou. "I'm going to become a tailor."
      © ICRC
  • I'll tell my friends not to join in the fighting – it's not something children should get involved in says Mahamat, finally reunited with his parents after several months of separation.
    • "I'll tell my friends not to join in the fighting – it's not something children should get involved in," says Mahamat, finally reunited with his parents after several months of separation.
      © ICRC / Romaric Bekourou

  • Back to topBack to top
  • Send pageSend page

Related sections

  • Children
  • Reuniting families
  • The ICRC in the Central African Republic

See also

  • Refugees in Uganda: lost boys looking for a better life

Document printed from the web site of the ICRC
/eng/index.jsp

ICRC logo  ©  International Committee of the Red Cross

  • Home
  • Who we are
  • What we do
  • Where we work
  • War & law
  • Resource centre
  • Media Room
  • Site map
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Privacy policy
  • RSS feeds
  • Contacts

Last update: 14-06-13