Tens of thousands of families displaced by fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DR Congo) South Kivu as United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) scales up humanitarian response
The resurgence of conflict in Southern Kivi Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has forced 850,000 people (almost half of those children) to flee their homes. Many people live under unstable conditions, live in schools, churches or public places, and have limited access to clean water and sanitation, health care and education.
Ongoing violence in the province has led to a sharp rise in serious violations of children. Verified cases have soared since January 2025, up about 150% from December 2024. These violations include sexual violence, homicide, wreckage, and the recruitment and use of children by armed groups.
UNICEF representatives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo visited the eastern region in early March to witness the impact of the crisis on Bukaf and assessed UNICEF’s enhanced response.
“I met unaccompanied kids who seek asylum in college clinics – kids who have lost everything. Their suffering is enormous and that no stronger humanitarian response every day can worsen their suffering. “We are facing an unprecedented crisis of protection. Children are targeted. They were killed, recruited, torn apart from their families, and suffered horrible sexual and physical violence. ”
Fighting also significantly restricts humanitarian action. The closure of the Kavumu Airport, located 25 km north of Bukavu, a major entry point for delivering basic supply, was disrupted by the bank’s closure, payment and allocation delays.
The health department was overwhelmed, hospitals were overcrowded, and medical and equipment were in short supply. More than 15 medical facilities were partially destroyed, while outbreaks of cholera, measles and MPOX were spreading. Since January 2025, 377 cases of cholera have been reported, involving 146 new infections in late February, especially affecting displacement sites and health areas in Minova and Uvira.
Education has also been affected, with the province closing more than 1,000 schools, destroying the education of 300,000 students. In Bukavu alone, 19 schools have become temporary shelters for displaced families, highlighting the urgent need to provide alternative solutions to support educational and humanitarian needs.
To address this critical situation, UNICEF and its partners are expanding life-saving support for children and families. An effort to reunite unaccompanied children and families is underway and has supported 40% of the population. Four operating “hearing points” now provide psychosocial support to affected children and families and recommend them to services.
Access to clean water and sanitation facilities is also improving, with three purification stations providing 180,000 liters of clean water per day. Meanwhile, UNICEF’s mobile team is disinfecting areas affected by cholera to raise awareness and medical referrals.
UNICEF and its partners are also working to reopen schools, advocating for getting out and evaluating damaged facilities for rapid recovery. Finally, UNICEF is strengthening support for health centres to address the MPOX and cholera outbreaks, especially through medical, nutritional care and mental health support.
“We call on all parties in conflict to immediately cease hostilities, protect children, respect international humanitarian law, and ensure rapid, safe and unwelcome humanitarian visits,” Basse said.
Distributed by Apo Group on behalf of UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund).
