Weezha Roz– Kabul – Kinshasa: UNICEF’s executive director says, “I am deeply concerned about the escalation of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and its impact on children and families.”
He adds, “In the cities of North and South Kivu, we have received reports of severe violations of children’s rights by the warring parties, including sexual violence and other forms of sexual violence that have exceeded the levels observed in recent years.”
Between January 27 and February 2, 2025, UNICEF partners reported a five-fold increase in the number of recorded cases of sexual violence at 42 health centers in just one week.
Thirty percent of the victims under treatment were children.
UNICEF states that the actual numbers are likely much higher, as many survivors are unwilling to come forward due to fear.
The stock of post-rape HIV prevention drugs at our partner health centers is running out.
A mother told our staff that six of her daughters, including the youngest, who was only 12 years old, were systematically raped by armed men while searching for food.
Children and families in large parts of eastern Congo continue to be under relentless artillery and small arms fire.
In recent months, thousands of vulnerable children in refugee camps have been forced to relocate multiple times to escape the conflict.
Amid this chaos, hundreds of children have been separated from their families and are at risk of abduction, recruitment by armed groups, and sexual violence.
In the last two weeks alone, more than 1,100 unaccompanied children have been identified in North and South Kivu, and this number continues to rise.
UNICEF staff are urgently registering unaccompanied children, temporarily placing them in foster families, and ensuring they have access to essential medical and psychological care.
Even before the recent escalation of the crisis, the recruitment of children by armed groups in the region had been on the rise.
Now, with the call from warring parties to recruit young fighters, the rate of child recruitment is likely to accelerate.
Reports suggest that children as young as 12 are being coerced or deceived into joining these groups.
The warring parties must immediately stop violating children’s rights and take measures to prevent further occurrences.
They are also obligated, under international humanitarian law, to take practical actions to protect civilians and their essential infrastructure.
Safe and unhindered access for humanitarian partners to all children and families in need, wherever they may be, must be guaranteed.
UNICEF continues to call for enhanced diplomatic efforts to halt the military escalation and find a sustainable political solution to the violence, so that children in this country can live in peace.
Weezha Roz
