Escalating Violence In DRC Forces Over 50,000 Children From Their Homes in 2025 – Save The Children

Save the Children, the independent organisation centring vulnerable children, has raised concerns about the effect of the escalating crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on children.

The violence has accounted for the displacement of about 52,000 children out of the total 100,000 affected population, the group said in a statement released by the team on Jan. 13.

The United Nations Humanitarian Office had earlier reported that over 100,000 people were displaced in a week by the fighting in parts of the eastern region of the country. This was between 1st and 3rd January 2025 after M23 rebels seized control of Masisi town, a mineral-rich region. 

In Minova, where Save the Children is facilitating an education program geared at responding to the urgent needs of the newly displaced, several explosions were noted by the organisation with intense fighting around Rubaya, a mining community producing coltan. In North Kivu province, the recent rise in the conflict has blocked access for humanitarian workers like first aid teams. 

The organisation has further raised concerns over a worsening hunger crisis.

With nearly 7 million people affected, out of which 3.5 million are children, the conflict is said to have been one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world as “one in every four people is in need of humanitarian assistance in the DRC” according to the group.

Greg Ramn, Save the Children’s Country Director for DRC, expressed concerns over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the region. 

“The humanitarian crisis in the D.R. Congo is at its worst in decades. The ongoing conflict has blocked several roads, forcing our team to delay a critical mission to assist those in need,” he said. 

However, he stated that the team remains on the ground to deliver aid as soon as access is restored.

Ramn also raised alarm over the deteriorating situation in North and South Kivu, where millions of people are already experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, with children mostly affected. He urged all parties involved in the conflict to prioritise the wellbeing of children and their families by ensuring access to all areas is restored as soon as possible.

“The humanitarian situation is dire, and it’s imperative that the international community acts swiftly to protect civilians and prevent further violence. We urge all parties involved to cease hostilities and work towards a peaceful resolution immediately.”

Since 1994, Save the Children has worked in the DRC to meet the humanitarian needs of refugees and the displaced population affected by the armed conflict in the eastern province. While supporting existing care systems, the organisation has scaled up its response by training locals to prevent and respond to the exploitation of abuse while ensuring healthcare access via mobile clinics. Also, it is helping children to access basic education by building classrooms and empowering the teachers.