The rate of sexual violence against children has reached shockingly high levels, stated UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell briefing to the United Nations Security Council on the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
UNICEF estimates that during the most intense phase of this year’s conflict in eastern DRC, a child was raped every half an hour.
Reports from child protection partners show that children make up more than 40 per cent of the nearly 10,000 cases of rape and sexual violence reported in January and February alone, according to UNICEF.
“Bear in mind that these numbers represent only the cases that have been reported, the true figure is likely significantly higher, hidden beneath layers of fear, stigma, and insecurity. This clearly points to a systemic crisis in which rape and other forms of sexual violence are being used as a weapon of war to destroy lives, families and communities. Certainly, it should compel broad condemnation and urgent and collective action," - Russell said.
She added that cases of abductions of children also have increased sixfold between December 2024 and February of this year. These increases are accompanied by reports of other serious violations of children’s rights, including killing and maiming of children and threats by armed groups against children living on the street.
According to UNICEF, the significant escalation of conflict in the eastern region of the DRC has reached levels not seen in the last three decades. The intensifying violence has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, leaving millions of children at risk.
Since January, more than one million people – including an estimated 400,000 children – have been displaced by violence in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. This new wave of displacement comes in addition to the more than 5 million people in the region who were already living in displacement camps, where crowded and unsanitary conditions make the spread of diseases like mpox, cholera and measles much more likely.
"DRC remains the epicentre of the outbreak of the new mpox strain," - Russell stated and added that “unsurprisingly, the mpox response continues to be heavily impacted by the conflict."
For example, most of the 143 mpox patients in isolation units in Goma had to flee for safety, making it nearly impossible to provide them with care, and increasing the risk of the disease spreading, including beyond the DRC’s borders.
At the same time, healthcare facilities have been overwhelmed, and medical supplies are being quickly depleted – including Post-Exposure Prophylaxis or PEP kits used to treat rape survivors who may have been exposed to HIV or other sexually transmitted infections, - UNICEF statement reads.
“Making matters worse, violence and insecurity are undermining the ability of humanitarian actors to consistently reach children and families in need. Threats and attacks against humanitarian workers are being exacerbated by widespread mis- and disinformation," - UNICEF Executive Director stated.
At least 11 humanitarian workers have been killed since January.
Humanitarian premises and warehouses have been looted, including the two mpox treatment centres supported by UNICEF in Goma, and UNICEF’s warehouse in Bukavu.
“Despite these challenges, UNICEF is staying and delivering for children and families in eastern DRC. Key operational staff have remained in Goma and Bukavu along with our NGO partners throughout the worst of the fighting," - Russell said.
In 2024, UNICEF received only 20 per cent of the funding required to address the urgent needs of children and families, leaving millions without access to life-saving aid, she stated and added: "Recently, we launched an urgent appeal for nearly $57 million to provide emergency assistance to children in the eastern DRC over the next three months."
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