The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed deep concern over a surge in sexual violence against children in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amidst the ongoing conflict.
According to UNICEF, 45 cases of sexual violence against children and 70 injured children under the age of five were reported at Virunga Hospital in Goma, the capital of North Kivu.
The conflict between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese Armed Forces has created a volatile security environment, allowing armed groups to exploit the situation. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that armed elements have taken advantage of the chaos to commit widespread looting and rape in several neighborhoods of Goma, including Majengo, Virunga, Birere, and areas around the airport and Instigo roundabout.
“Numerous protection incidents” have also been reported in South Kivu. In a disturbing incident, five girls from the same family were reportedly raped by armed men in Kalungu, a town in Kalehe territory.
The M23, which has been accused of receiving support from Rwanda, seized control of Goma on January 27th, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The situation in eastern DRC remains dire, with widespread human rights abuses and a significant deterioration in the humanitarian situation.
FSS/te/fss/abj/APA