recommendations. It was mentioned that lessons can be learnt from Nigeria who provides human rights training to the military personnel and from Uganda who has facilitated the integration of refugee children into the regular social services. 13. Launch of the Continental Study on the Impact of Conflict and Crisis on Children in Africa The session on the Launch of the Continental Study started with a presentation by Mr. Ayalew Getachew from the Secretariat of the ACERWC on the main findings of the study. Following the decision of the AU Executive Council requesting the Peace and Security Council of the AU to cooperate with the ACERWC on the rights of children, the Peace and Security Council in 2014 proposed that the ACERWC undertakes a study to assess the situation of children in conflict. Mr Ayalew highlighted that the devastating effect of conflict on children was the driver for the study. The Study focuses on courtiers that are in active conflict, countries in fragile post-conflict situations, and countries in major humanitarian crisis. It was informed that the objectives of the Study are to assess the impact of conflict on education, health, nutrition, and security; to assess if countries have response mechanisms to the challenges; assess the role of children as victims and witnesses; and to collect and analyze the views of children on the impact of armed conflict on their rights. Mr Ayalew pointed out that according to the findings of the Study, conflict and crisis has the following impacts on children: - separation from families and caregivers; sexual and gender based violence; food insecurity and lack of nutrition; destruction of heath care services; emotional and psychological distress; and destruction of education. In relation to responses, Mr Ayalew underlined that the Study found that the issue of conflict and crisis in many countries is left for CSOs which has led to a fragmented efforts. Finally, he revealed the recommendations of the Study, among others, adoption of rights based approach response; rebuilding of education and health care facilities; provide food aid; adopt prevention mechanisms; rehabilitate and reintegrate child victims; and end impunity by prosecuting perpetrators of violence. Subsequently, Ms. Brenda Kariuki from World Vision made a statement. She stated that Africa has most of the conflict in the world and hence there is a need to address the scourge. Accordingly World Vision works in the areas of conflict and crisis. Ms Kariuki indicated that in line of its work that World Vision partnered with ACERWC in undertaking the Study. She expressed her confidence in the study being the beginning of a valuable opportunity to use evidence to bring change and recommendation at policy 26 | P a g e