Since 2024 began, violence has shut down 540 schools, with nearly 190 closures occurring this year alone. Armed groups have seized 24 schools, directly attacked 10, and used 29 as shelters for displaced families. Teachers have been kidnapped, and students abducted at school or on their way to class.
The disruption in education leaves children vulnerable to exploitation, forced labor, and recruitment by armed groups. The psychological impact of violence on children is severe, as illustrated by the experience of 12-year-old Bahati, who fled his village after his school was attacked.
This violence follows a tumultuous 2023 in North Kivu, where over 1 million people were displaced due to conflict. Since February 2024, 250,000 more have fled their homes, with a total of 2.6 million displaced in the region since 2022. This displacement crisis is the second-largest globally, with near 10 million people internally displaced in the DRC. Despite escalating violence, the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) is withdrawing at the government’s request.
All parties to the conflict must prioritize the protection of civilians, especially children. Schools must be designated as safe spaces, free from military activity and attacks. Save the Children urges all parties to cease attacks on and threats against schools, refrain from any military use of educational facilities and save the Children’s Response
ABJ/APA