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[NEW YORKĀ , 6 December 2006] - After more than two decades of civil war, the people of South Sudan are coming home by the thousands, the majority women, children and youth. They are returning, however, to nearly nothing. Almost two years after a peace agreement between North and South Sudan was signed, progress has been slow to rebuild the devastated south; the returnees, particularly the women and children, are suffering greatly as a result. More must be done to provide opportunities for formal and non-formal education, effective skills training and employment, says the Womenās Commission for Refugee Women and Children, which just returned from a mission to the war-torn region. "Many are coming home with nothing, to nothing and with no idea how they are going to survive,ā says Protection Program Director, Dale Buscher. More than 4 million Southern Sudanese were displaced within Sudan and more than 400,000 sought refuge in other countries during 21 years of civil war. In all, over 80 percent of South Sudanese were displaced during the war at least once. Those who have returned find a lack of economic opportunities and extremely limited services. This dearth is also preventing millions more from coming home. Many have lost their land and their cattleāformerly the backbone of southernersā livelihoodsāand infrastructure is non-existent. South Sudan, which is the size of Texas, has only about 14km of paved roads. Perhaps no groups have been more greatly affected by the civil war and displacement than children and young people. Most have witnessed atrocities or been victims of brutality; many have been forced to commit terrible crimes. A generation of children has lost the opportunity for school. South Sudan has the lowest education rates in the world today; less than 25 percent of children are enrolled in primary school. Only 500 girls finish primary school each year. A major challenge to rebuilding the education system is a severe shortage of teachers due in part to an adult illiteracy rate of 75 percent. It is not unusual to visit a school where the teachers have only completed grade 4. The people of South Sudan have very few ways to support themselves and re-build their communities. The lack of infrastructure impedes the growth of any economy and the majority of Southern Sudanese have no entrepreneurial experience. Southern Sudanese are not being hired by the international entities managing the limited amounts of reconstruction that is taking place; more skilled laborers from neighboring countries are being brought in instead. "There is so much the international community can do to help the Southern Sudanese re-build their country, become self-sufficient and educated and to develop an economy,ā says Buscher. āSouth Sudan is at a historic point in its historyāa chance to turn its back on years of conflictā but it needs the ongoing support of the international community to do so.ā Immediate action is required to rebuild schools, train teachersāparticularly more womenāand develop alternative learning programs. Vocational training should be providedāboth in and outside of schoolāto teach basic skills that reflect market demand and include job placement. All skills training should include women, who head many of the households returning, as well as young people who missed out on years of school. "The international community can and must help South Sudan confront the numerous challenges it faces to keep the country moving toward a peaceful, prosperous futureāone that requires an educated, prepared society,ā Buscher says. Further information Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children: Right to Education During DisplacementĀ -Ā A Resource for Organisations Working with Refugees and Internally Displaced PersonsĀ (August 2006) Ā