According to UNICEF, the resumption of fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) province of South Kivu has driven more than 850,000 people to evacuate their homes, over half of them are children.
Many people are living in perilous situations, seeking refuge in schools, churches, or in the open, with little access to clean water and sanitation, healthcare, and education.
The province’s persistent conflict has resulted in a significant increase in severe breaches against minors.
Verified cases have increased by around 150 percent since January 2025, 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
