As the humanitarian crisis in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, continues to worsen following the new offensive of the M23 rebels, UNICEF has sounded the alarm over the surge of grave violations against children.
The resurgence of conflict in the province of South Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC, has forced more than 850,000 people—nearly half of them children.
Many are living in precarious conditions, taking shelter in schools, churches, or in the open, with limited access to clean water and sanitation, healthcare, and education.
The ongoing violence in the province has led to a sharp rise in grave violations against children.
Verified cases have surged since January 2025, marking an approximately 150 per cent increase compared to December 2024.
These violations include sexual violence, killings, maiming, and the recruitment and use of children by armed groups.
UNICEF’s Representative in the DRC visited the eastern region earlier in March to witness firsthand the impact of the crisis in Bukavu and to assess UNICEF’s intensified response
Africanews/Shakirat Sadiq
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