UNICEF Sounds Alarm Over Child Crisis in Eastern DR Congo
13 February 2025, 12:00
UNICEF has issued an urgent warning about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where ongoing conflict and displacement have left hundreds of thousands of children in crisis.
The agency’s latest report, released today, paints a grim picture of the challenges facing children in the region. Nearly 3.5 million children are currently displaced from their homes, while an estimated 1 million are acutely malnourished.
“The situation for children in eastern DRC is dire,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “They are being killed, maimed, raped, and forced to flee their homes. Too many are facing severe hunger and disease.”
The conflict in eastern DRC has been ongoing for decades, but has escalated in recent years. Armed groups are vying for control of the region’s vast mineral resources, and civilians have borne the brunt of the violence.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of armed conflict. They are at increased risk of being recruited as child soldiers, trafficked, or subjected to sexual violence. The lack of access to education and healthcare also has a devastating impact on their development.
“We are witnessing a generation of children growing up in the midst of conflict and violence,” said Russell. “This is having a profound impact on their physical and mental health, and on their ability to learn and reach their full potential.”
UNICEF is calling for an immediate end to the violence and for greater international support to address the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. The agency is providing essential services to children in the region, including nutrition, education, and protection.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of children in eastern DRC,” said Russell. “We must act now to protect their rights and give them a chance to grow up in peace and security.”
UNICEF sounds alarm over child crisis in eastern DR Congo
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