The ongoing violence in South Kivu, a province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has escalated significantly, forcing over 850,000 people, nearly half of whom are children, to flee their homes. The crisis, which has intensified since the beginning of the year, has left many displaced individuals living in dire conditions, with limited access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and education.
The majority of displaced families are taking refuge in schools, churches, and makeshift shelters, often exposed to the elements and lacking adequate protection. With basic services disrupted, the situation remains precarious for the vulnerable populations, particularly children.
The violence in South Kivu has also led to a disturbing surge in grave violations against children. Verified cases of child exploitation and abuse have increased by approximately 150% from December 2024 to January 2025. These violations include sexual violence, killings, maiming, and the recruitment and use of children by armed groups, contributing to a worsening humanitarian crisis in the region.
In response to this alarming situation, UNICEF’s Representative in the DRC, Jean François Basse, visited the region in March 2025. The visit focused on assessing the impact of the conflict, with a particular emphasis on the situation in the provincial capital of Bukavu. During the visit, Jean François Basse met with affected families, local authorities, and partners to understand the scale of the emergency and to assess UNICEF’s efforts to mitigate the impact on children.
UNICEF has intensified its response to the crisis, with a focus on providing immediate relief such as emergency education, child protection services, and healthcare, especially for those in the most vulnerable situations. However, the growing number of displaced persons, coupled with the ongoing violence, continues to pose significant challenges to humanitarian efforts.
The international community is urged to support the DRC in addressing the urgent needs of the displaced populations, particularly the children who have been severely affected by the conflict.
