Kinshasa – UNICEF and WFP are urgently demanding action to safeguard children and ensure unrestricted humanitarian access amidst escalating violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The recent turmoil has led to a dire situation with increasing casualties, particularly among children, near makeshift camps. Both organizations are imploring all involved parties to prioritize civilian protection and enable humanitarian aid to reach those in need.

The conflict in Eastern DRC has caused catastrophic conditions for the local population, with intense fighting expanding towards Sake, endangering the lives of children and families trapped in the midst of hostilities. The influx of people fleeing to overcrowded displacement camps has exacerbated the crisis, with shortages and price hikes in local markets adding pressure to families already struggling to secure food.

Grant Leaity, UNICEF Representative in the DRC, stresses the urgent need for peace and protection of children amidst the ongoing conflict. The large-scale displacement and disruption of critical supply routes for food and essential items have further worsened the situation, prompting concerns of a looming humanitarian catastrophe if immediate action is not taken.

Peter Musoko, Country Director and Representative for WFP in the DRC, warns of the looming crisis’s magnitude, emphasizing the imperative of intervention to prevent loss of lives. Both agencies are grappling with limited resources to provide vital assistance, including food, water, sanitation, health care, shelter, and protection services for women and children, in the face of escalating violence and displacement.

WFP is appealing for $300 million over the next 6 months, requiring $78 million immediately to bridge the funding gap and sustain operations, while UNICEF seeks $400 million for its emergency response in Eastern DRC, with an urgent requirement of $96 million. Critical priorities include deploying mobile clinics for medical care, reinforcing disease prevention, distributing essential supplies, enhancing water supply, addressing gender-based violence, and reuniting unaccompanied children with their families.

The crisis in DRC has led to one of Africa’s most substantial internal displacement emergencies, with 6.9 million people displaced due to conflicts in the east. In the past year alone, 1.6 million individuals have been forcibly displaced, underscoring the urgent need for collective action to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.

UNICEF and WFP play pivotal roles in responding to the pressing needs of vulnerable populations, working tirelessly to protect and support those most affected by conflicts and disasters worldwide. The global community must come together to support these efforts and prevent further suffering in Eastern Congo.