Child in Democratic Republic of Congo
Where we work

Democratic Republic of Congo

Decades of conflict, worsened by natural disasters and medical outbreaks, make the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) one of the hardest places in the world to be a child.  

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The DR Congo has faced a humanitarian crisis for decades, and the situation is expected to worsen as access to livelihoods and health services declines. 

Education is a major challenge across the country, especially for children in conflict-affected areas. Displacement and insecurity force desperate families to make impossible choices, with women and children most affected. 

The recruitment of children and young people into armed groups remains widespread. Hundreds of former child soldiers are still waiting for reintegration support. Without alternatives, many risk returning to armed groups 

Scale of the challenge

  • 14.9 M

    Children in need of humanitarian assistance

  • 3.5 M

    Children are displaced

  • 900 K

    Children out of school

Our work in the DRC

War Child operates mainly in eastern DR Congo, including North and South Kivu, in the areas Masisi, Goma, Bunyakiri, and Minova. In partnership with local organisations, we focus on supporting the most vulnerable children through child protection, education, psychosocial care, and livelihoods assistance. In 2023, War Child supported 79,379 children and adults. 

Lamegia writing on a chalkboard at school.
Photo taken by Neno la Uzima
My life has changed because when I was at home, I was uneducated. But today I am different. The way I study, I’m taught well, and I get a good education. I love my studies because it can help me in my life, help my family and the community.
Lamegia, Democratic Republic of Congo

War Child programmes include: 

Mental Health Support 

Providing mental health support for children through psychological first aid, therapy sessions, and play-based activities. 

Protection and Legal Services 

Offering protection and legal services to children and young people, including family reunification for unaccompanied minors and support for survivors of gender-based violence. 

Reintegration 

Facilitating the release and reintegration of children recruited or used by armed groups. 

Creating Safe Spaces for Education 

Offering catch-up classes and alternative education programmes at child-friendly safe spaces. 

Vocational Training 

Delivering vocational and life skills training to help young people find work. 

Working with Communities 

Establishing youth groups to address community issues and teach young people how to engage constructively with local government. 

 

Project focus – Emergency response 

In early 2024, escalating conflict in the country’s east pushed the situation to a breaking point. In response, War Child launched a rapid intervention focused on supporting women and girls. This included family reunification, social services, recreational activities, and community sessions on gender-based violence and other key issues. To maintain high standards of care, we also ran refresher child protection workshops for local partner staff and social workers. 

Children taking part in Team Up - a psychosocial support programme.
Children taking part in a Team Up project. Photo taken by War Child UK.
Support our work in the DRC.

With the situation in the DRC only set to worsen, War Child's work with children and their families is more urgent than ever.

Please, help us to be there for those that need us most when they need us most.

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