The true face of war in the Congo? A child's

Social justice news
May 2005

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The true face of war in the Congo? A child's
Latest analysis from Save the Children UK's field operations indicates that sporadic fighting and clashes in South Kivu and Ituri in East Africa's Democratic Republic of Congo is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, resulting in increased displacement of the population and increased humanitarian needs.

In the first four months of this year 59,000 children have died as a direct and indirect result of the conflict in the Congo. The vast majority are dying from easily preventable and curable causes such as diarrhea, malnutrition, and malaria. In total more people have died in the Congo than in any conflict since the Second World War, some four million, the big difference is that in the Congo most casualties have been civilians rather than combatants.

"Almost half the population of the Congo are under the age of 14. It is the children who are suffering most from the ongoing conflict and instability," said Judy Lister, Regional Director for East Africa at Save the Children UK. "The humanitarian crisis has reached an alarming level that the international community can no longer turn a blind eye to. There is an urgent need for meeting the aid targets and supporting the peace building process so that the conflict can be ended."

In Ituri, a major problem is food as the population has missed an entire agricultural season, which has depleted their food stock. According to Save the Children, a serious food crisis is looming. There is an urgent need for essential items such as clean water, sanitation and soap for the displaced population. Because of insecurity, there will be major health needs especially in the camps where there have already been outbreaks of cholera.

In much of the country parents cannot manage to take charge of their children; they are unable to support school fees, medical fees and other basic needs and the concept of protecting children has become a low priority for many households.

It is also imperative that the parties to the conflict cease the practice of conscription of children into their forces and begin an immediate release of those already recruited. Save the Children would also like to see those responsible for recruiting children prosecuted and held accountable for their crimes.

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