Unseen levels of child violence in Eastern DR Congo, UN reports

The United Nations says violence against children in Eastern DR Congo (DRC) has hit new highs.

Even infants are being used in horrific ways, like being turned into live bombs.

Grant Leaity from UNICEF spoke in Geneva. “Eastern DRC is one of the worst places to be a child,” he said.

He pointed out that the DRC leads to severe child abuse in conflict zones.

Leaity shared a chilling story. Twin babies were found strapped to a bomb belt, hidden under clothes.

Militants from the Allied Democratic Forces did this after killing their family in Northern Kivu.

Experts defused the bomb and separated the twins. They’re now recovering at a UNICEF center.

The first three months of 2023 were brutal in Northern Kivu. Over 38,000 cases of sexual and gender violence are reported.

This is a 37% rise from last year’s same period.

Also, acute malnutrition looms over 1.2 million kids under five in the country’s east. Epidemics add to the crisis, putting more lives at risk.

Background

Eastern DRC has long been unstable, but these new levels are deeply worrying. The presence of multiple armed groups adds complexity to any solution.

UNICEF’s intervention is critical, yet it’s a band-aid on a deep wound.

The involvement of groups like the Allied Democratic Forces is a concern. Their acts signal a change in how armed groups involve children in conflicts.

Such acts can have long-term consequences, affecting not just DRC but stability in Africa.

The increase in sexual and gender violence is another layer to the crisis. This may discourage international investments and humanitarian aid in the region.

Furthermore, malnutrition and epidemics compound the problem, putting a whole generation at risk.

It’s crucial to hold accountable those who commit these acts. International bodies and governments need to collaborate.

Only a multi-pronged approach can start to tackle these interconnected issues.