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Students at a school in South Sudan eat lunch they received as part of a school-feeding program.
Child abduction is escalating in South Sudan's war-torn border region.
Plan is warning that young people are being snatched as part of ethnic clashes in Jonglei state that have displaced tens of thousands of people.
"Rival tribes are burning down villages and raiding cattle – and we are hearing of more and more kidnaps of young people," said Fikru Abebe, Plan International's Country Director in South Sudan.
"Other children have been separated from their parents in the chaos – leaving them especially at risk.
Revenge attacks are intensifying and we fear the violence will only get worse in the coming weeks and months."
Plan is launching an appeal for $700,000 to help distribute aid to people caught up in fighting in Pibor County in Jonglei.
Plan International Australia Programs Manager Dave Husy was in South Sudan for last year's independence celebrations.
"Plan is taking a lead role in helping this new nation get on its feet," said Mr Husy. "With our partner agency, we have been running school feeding programmes for 4500 children in Pibor, and neighbouring Akobo country," he said.
"We want to expand these programs so that we can support many more vulnerable children, especially those directly affected by the latest clashes."
A Plan taskforce is currently in the region, preparing an emergency response. The agency is planning to implement special programmes to keep children safe, as well as providing food and longer-term measures to help families earn a living.
"The biggest challenge we are facing in our relief work is the lack of security in the border region – and the possibility of sudden attacks," said Mr Abebe.
"Logistics are also a problem in South Sudan, which has very poor infrastructure."
The Government of South Sudan is trying to begin a peace process to bring together rival ethnic groups.
To support children affected by the South Sudan border conflict and Plan's work with children and communities affected by disasters and emergencies around the world, donate to the Children in Crisis Fund online or call 13 75 26.
To speak to Fikru Abebe or Dave Husy, contact:
David Cook
Media Officer
Plan International Australia
Mobile: 0448 816 900
Email: David.cook@plan.org.au