Children face violence, abuse and displacement in Goma, DRC
Press Statement, 28 January 2025.
International aid agency, World Vision is deeply concerned that tens of thousands of people living in the eastern DR Congo city of Goma, or in nearby camps, now face the risk of death, injury and mass displacement as armed group M23 pushes to seize the city.
David Munkley, World Vision’s head of operations for eastern DR Congo said: “The situation is terrible. There are not only thousands of people caught in the middle or fleeing this violent conflict but now we can’t reach the tens of thousands of people who were previously relying on us for food and other vital support. Key roads surrounding Goma are blocked, and the city's airport can no longer be used for evacuation and humanitarian efforts. Power and water have reportedly been cut to many areas of the city.
“My biggest fear is that we are going to see a massive escalation of children and their families on the move and be unable to easily assist. On top of this past spikes in violence have put children at risk of either being recruited into the armed groups or led to increases in girls and women experiencing sexual violence. The international community needs to actively get involved immediately to prevent this conflict from potentially significantly worsening. The armed actors on the ground must also allow humanitarians safe access so we can get back to helping people.”
An estimated 400,000 people have fled the violence in eastern DR Congo this year alone, with many pouring into Goma, which serves as a humanitarian base for the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu. Over the weekend the situation worsened with various parts of Goma coming under the control of M23, putting thousands of people on the move and forcing humanitarian agencies to evacuate and hibernate staff. Already dire humanitarian conditions are worsening rapidly, and access to vulnerable populations inside and outside the city are severely limited by insecurity, roadblocks and the presence of violent armed actors.
Aid operations to support people living in Goma – population two million – and in the long-term displacement camps in and around the city have now been forced to be suspended by World Vision due to armed group and Congolese Army operations that have shattered roads and supply lines. “I currently have 77 staff in hibernation because it’s simply too dangerous for them to be working when I want them to be out and about supporting people in dire need.” Munkley added.
World Vision DRC National Director, Aline Napon, said: “Displaced women, children and men are not only fearful and in despair but feel powerless. They are now on the run from the camps or homes where they were living, not knowing where they are going to stay or what they are going to eat. Many are children.”
DR Congo has a population of 113 million with an estimated 27 million in need of humanitarian assistance. Six million people are displaced within the country. The two eastern provinces of North and South Kivu are already home to 4.6 million displaced people.
ENDS-
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