Conflict in South Kivu, DRC, has displaced over 850,000 people, half of them children. Many face dire conditions with limited access to basic needs. Violence has led to a 150% rise in child rights violations, including recruitment by armed groups. UNICEF is intensifying its response.

According to UNICEF, the ongoing conflict in the province of South Kivu, located in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has displaced more than 850,000 people, nearly half of whom are children.

Many of those affected are now living in extremely precarious conditions, seeking refuge in schools, churches, or even in the open, with minimal access to essential services such as clean water, sanitation, healthcare, and education.

The persistent violence in the province has also resulted in a significant increase in grave violations against children.

Since January 2025, verified cases of such violations have surged by approximately 150 percent compared to December 2024. These violations include incidents of sexual violence, killings, maiming, and the recruitment and exploitation of children by armed groups.

In response to the worsening crisis, UNICEF’s Representative in the DRC traveled to the eastern region earlier in March to assess the humanitarian situation firsthand. During the visit to Bukavu, the representative evaluated the impact of the crisis and reviewed UNICEF’s intensified efforts to provide support to affected communities.