(UNICEF) – UNICEF Somalia has made important progress in its work to protect children from being recruited into armed groups – and to help those already affected – thanks to funding of US$1 million from the European Union. During a 15 month project which began in June 2014, 401 children and young people who had been associated with armed groups, as well as other children at risk, were provided with reintegration support including vocational and educational opportunities, psycho-social care and support and recreation. The young people, a quarter of whom were girls, were enrolled into vocational training programmes on skills such as electrical engineering, office administration, car mechanics, carpentry and plumbing. At the same time 110 boys and girls were enrolled in formal school.
