Help UNICEF Reach Children at Risk in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently grappling with one of its worst floods in over 60 years, compounded by recurrent health outbreaks, climate-related disasters, and armed conflict and internal displacement that continues to severely impact children. The DRC is now home to one of the highest numbers of UN-verified grave violations globally, and numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs). The escalation of the current conflict, including violence towards civilians, has resulted in significant population movements, a deteriorating humanitarian situation, and a worsening protection situation for children and women.

In DRC, 4.9 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance, including 2.8 million children. In the three eastern provinces, 1.5 million people have been newly displaced this year. Eastern DRC is also grappling with cholera and measles outbreaks. In the first three months of 2024, there have been 11,027 suspected cholera cases.

Despite security challenges, UNICEF continues to leverage its extensive presence in the DRC, as well as engagement with government, NGO, civil society partners and other UN agencies, to scale up the humanitarian response and address the needs of vulnerable children, women, and families. Since June 2023, UNICEF has reached over 1.3 million people across crisis-affected areas, despite significant funding gaps.

UNICEF has prioritized life-saving interventions, and is integrating protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, gender considerations, and prevention and response to gender-based violence across all interventions. Since June 2023, UNICEF has reached 262,817 children and women with primary healthcare; 57,440 with nutrition support; 412,397 children, adolescents, and caregivers with mental health and psychological support; 161,072 children with access to education; and 420,917 families with life-saving item or cash assistance.

With your support, UNICEF can continue this life-saving work throughout 2024.