ESCALATING VIOLENCE IN DRC FORCES MORE THAN 50,000 CHILDREN FROM THEIR HOMES SO FAR IN 2025

KINSHASA, 13 January 2025 - Escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has displaced 100,000 people - more than half of whom are children - since the start of this year, with the conflict blocking access for aid teams, said Save the Children.  

Fighting in the eastern DRC escalated further over the weekend with the UN stating that 100,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of the year with children accounting for about 52, 000 of this number.  

Conflict in DRC has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, with nearly 7 million people, including at least 3.5 million children, displaced and more than 26 million people – or one in every four people – in need of humanitarian assistance in the DRC. 

In recent days, several explosions were reported in Minova, a commercial hub hosting many people displaced from North Kivu where Save the Children is supporting several schools via its education programme and is responding to the urgent needs of the newly displaced. Fighting has also been intense around Rubaya, a town known for its mines producing coltan, a mineral used in batteries for electric vehicles and cell phones. 

Th recent upsurge in fighting has impacted humanitarian operations in North Kivu province since 2 January, blocking access for humanitarian workers and raising concerns over a worsening hunger crisis. 

Greg Ramm, Save the Children’s Country Director for DRC said: 

 “The humanitarian crisis in the D.R. Congo is at its worst in decades. Ongoing conflict has blocked several roads, forcing our team to delay a critical mission to assist those in need. However, we remain on the ground, ready to deliver aid as soon as access is restored. 

“The situation in the eastern provinces of Ituri,  North Kivu, and South Kivu has deteriorated with millions of people already experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, children are most affected. We urge all parties to the conflict to prioritise the wellbeing of children and their families and ensure access to all areas can be restored as soon as possible.  

“The humanitarian situation is dire, and it’s imperative that the international community acts swiftly to protect civilians and prevent further violence. We urge all parties involved to immediately cease hostilities and work towards a peaceful resolution. “ 

Save the Children has worked in DRC since 1994 to meet humanitarian needs linked to the arrival of refugees and the displacement of populations due to armed conflict in eastern provinces. Save the Children has scaled up its humanitarian response to support existing care systems, training local leaders and communities to prevent and respond to exploitation and abuse, and ensuring access to healthcare through mobile clinics. It is also helping children access basic education by building classrooms, training teachers, and distributing learning materials.  

ENDS