UNICEF Sounds Alarm Over Child Crisis in Eastern DR Congo
February 13, 2025
Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has issued an urgent warning about the deepening child crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian emergencies are putting millions of children at risk.
Escalating Violence and Displacement
The eastern DRC has been plagued by decades of armed conflict and violence, with numerous rebel groups and armed militias operating in the region. In recent years, the situation has worsened with increased fighting and displacement.
According to UNICEF, over 5.2 million people, including 2.9 million children, have been displaced by the violence in eastern DRC. Displaced families often live in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, with limited access to essential services such as healthcare, food, and clean water.
Acute Malnutrition and Health Emergencies
The displacement and instability have resulted in severe malnutrition among children. UNICEF estimates that over 1 million children under the age of 5 in eastern DRC are suffering from acute malnutrition, which can lead to stunted growth, cognitive impairments, and increased vulnerability to diseases.
In addition to malnutrition, children in eastern DRC are also facing other health emergencies. Outbreaks of measles, malaria, and cholera are common, and lack of access to healthcare makes it challenging to treat these diseases.
Education Disrupted
Armed conflicts and displacement have also disrupted education for millions of children in eastern DRC. Schools have been closed or destroyed, and teachers are often forced to flee their homes. According to UNICEF, over 2 million children in the region are out of school.
Call for Action
UNICEF is calling on all parties to the conflict in eastern DRC to respect international humanitarian law and protect children. The organization is also urging donors and humanitarian agencies to provide urgent support to address the child crisis.
UNICEF’s Regional Director for Central and West Africa, Marie-Pierre Poirier, said: “The child crisis in eastern DRC is one of the most severe in the world. We need immediate action to protect children and provide them with the essential services they need to survive and thrive.”
Specific Call for Support
UNICEF is requesting urgent funding to support its response to the child crisis in eastern DRC. The organization is also calling for:
- Unconditional humanitarian access to all conflict-affected areas
- Protection of children from violence, exploitation, and abuse
- Scaling up of malnutrition prevention and treatment programs
- Restoration of education services
- Provision of mental health and psychosocial support
Additional Information
- UNICEF has been operating in DRC since 1960 and has a long history of providing humanitarian assistance to children in the country.
- The organization has a large field presence in eastern DRC and is working closely with partners to provide essential services to children and families affected by conflict.
- The child crisis in eastern DRC is part of a wider humanitarian crisis in the country, which is also affecting other vulnerable populations, such as women and the elderly.
UNICEF sounds alarm over child crisis in eastern DR Congo
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Africa a new article on 2025-02-13 12:00 titled “UNICEF sounds alarm over child crisis in eastern DR Congo”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
1