UAE Delegation Reviews Progress of Rehabilitation Efforts in Gadarif and Kasala Regions of Sudan
- UNICEF Programmes Ensure Speedy Integration of Former Camel Jockeys in Home Countries
A high-ranking delegation from the UAE Ministry of Interior, which is currently on a visit to Sudan, toured the states of Gadarif and Kasala to review the progress of UAE-backed rehabilitation efforts for former camel jockeys.
The programmes are being implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with various ministries of the Sudanese government, including the National Council for Child Welfare (NCCW) and the regional councils in the two states.
During the visit, the delegation held discussions with His Excellency Abdul Kader Mohamad Ali, Gadarif’s Minister for Social Welfare, as well as officials of the state police, Sudan’s NCCW and UNICEF.
The delegation visited the Child and Family Protection Centre, the first of 10 such centres to be established in Gadarif that are financed by the UAE as part of its community development projects for former camel jockeys. The centre is being operated by UNICEF, the community policing unit and the NCCW.
Children at the centre in Gadarif greeted the delegation with a spectacular display of their games skills at a sports show. Later, delegation members met with parents of former camel jockeys and assured them adequate steps have been taken to remove any procedural hurdle for the settlement of compensation claims.
Welcoming the delegation on behalf of His Excellency Al-Dhao Osman Hassan Al-Faki, the Wali (governor) of Gadarif state, His Excellency Mohamad Ali commended the UAE for its support in organising programmes in a region that lacks adequate funds, and for significantly assisting in meeting urgent humanitarian and social needs, especially in healthcare, education, clean water and sanitation.
He said: “We acknowledge the kind gesture of the UAE, which was the first country to ban the use of children as camel jockeys and substituted them with robot jockeys. We are grateful to the UAE for financing these programmes to ensure the welfare of the children on their return to their home countries. Apart from providing generous support that will guarantee a decent life, the UAE has also pledged the provision of education not only to the former camel jockeys but to a major percentage of other children as well.
“The Gadarif Ministry of Social Welfare highly values this great initiative and has ensured additional measures are in place for the efficient implementation of these programmes, especially in Sudan’s eastern states.”
Brigadier Al-Tayyeb Abdul Jalil, Chief of Police in Gadarif, gave a presentation on the Child and Family Protection Unit that falls under the purview of the police. The unit offers psychological support to children and families in combating domestic violence and child abuse.
Brigadier Abdul Jalil explained that the unit, financed by the UAE, has successfully solved 50 per cent cases in the past seven months and has given priority to tackling issues with families of children formerly working as camel jockeys.
He added that the police in the state continues to benefit from the curriculum and tools of community policing provided by the UAE, offering effective counselling in 293 cases of attempted suicide that could have proved detrimental to the children.
Colonel Saber, Director of Child and Family Protection Unit, highlighted the UAE’s support in helping some of the 20 former camel jockeys in Gadarif who needed urgent medical treatment, and underscored the UAE’s role in setting up similar units for the benefit of the community.
The UAE delegation later met with His Excellency Mouhamad Ahmad Ali, Minister for Social Welfare in Kasala state, and Bouthayna Okacha, Secretary General of the Consultative Council of Kasala and other officials, who praised the UAE for its valuable contribution through humanitarian activities in Sudan.
The delegation also reviewed the progress of rehabilitation programmes in the villages of Abou Dihan, Mastoura and Abou Talha in Kasala state that have the largest number of former camel jockeys.
Officials of the UAE Ministry of Interior expressed satisfaction over the facilities that are being repaired by UNICEF in the schools of Boudahan and Akba bin Nafe’ in Mastoura as well as the Abou Talha Elementary School. Nearly 160 former camel jockeys study in these schools, which will build additional recreational areas to encourage sports and offer an environment conducive to children’s education.
During a tour around a sports facility in Mastoura, the UAE officials interacted with more than 300 children who are direct beneficiaries of the UAE-supported community development projects. They also visited the camel racing field in Abu Talha, where they witnessed the use of the robot jockeys and learned the residents’ willingness to benefit from the UAE experience.
Community leaders and tribal chiefs expressed their gratitude to the UAE delegation for banning child jockeys in camel races.
Mayor Hamdan bin Mubarak, member of the Consultative Council of Kasala state, confirmed 130,000 people of the Rashaida tribes in 43 villages in eastern Sudan are keen to provide education to children to bring stability to the region.
