Children Caught in The Crossfire as Violence Escalates in Eastern Congo

© UNHCR/Guerchom Ndebo

As the fighting between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army intensifies in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), thousands of families are being uprooted from their homes, facing untold suffering. The conflict, which has displaced over 1.7 million people in North Kivu province, continues to wreak havoc, with children bearing the brunt of the crisis. Humanitarian organizations on the ground are sounding the alarm.

Aline Napon Ouedraogo, World Vision DRC National Director, described a scene of utter despair in Goma, where displaced families are seeking refuge. “We see despair, fear, rage, and powerlessness on the faces of these women, children, and men,” she said. “They have been forced to leave their homes without knowing where they will stay or what they will eat. In short, they are fleeing simply to save their lives.” Children Caught in Crisis Children make up the majority of those displaced, and their plight is harrowing. Many have been separated from their families in the chaos of fleeing.

Reports indicate that these children, some as young as five, are exposed to extreme conditions like lack of shelter, food, and clean water, as well as the trauma of witnessing violence. “These children are experiencing atrocities that even grown-ups find hard to bear,” Ouedraogo said. Schools have been closed, disrupting education for thousands, and the risk of recruitment into armed groups looms large.

Additionally, the dire conditions in overcrowded displacement camps leave children vulnerable to disease outbreaks, including cholera and malaria.

A Surge in Violence The resurgence of the M23 rebellion, a group that had previously been dormant since 2013, has escalated tensions in the region. The group claims to be fighting for the rights of Congolese Tutsi communities but has been accused of committing widespread human rights abuses, including mass killings and sexual violence. The Congolese government, supported by regional forces, has struggled to regain control of the affected areas. Efforts to broker peace have repeatedly faltered.

The United Nations, African Union, and East African Community have called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, but ceasefire agreements remain tenuous. Meanwhile, civilians continue to pay the price, caught between warring factions. A Humanitarian Crisis As families pour into Goma and surrounding areas, the humanitarian response is stretched thin. Aid agencies, including World Vision, are providing food, water, shelter, and medical assistance, but the scale of the crisis is overwhelming.

The United Nations estimates that $2.25 billion is needed to address the immediate humanitarian needs in DRC, but only a fraction of this funding has been secured. “We are doing all we can, but the needs are immense,” said a World Vision aid worker in Goma. “Children are sleeping on bare ground, mothers are crying because they cannot feed their babies, and everyone is terrified of what tomorrow will bring.” Calls for Action The international community is being urged to step up its response. Humanitarian actors emphasize the need for sustained funding to provide life-saving assistance and support to the displaced. At the same time, pressure is mounting on regional leaders and global powers to find a lasting political solution to the conflict. “We cannot continue to watch as innocent lives are destroyed,” said a local activist in Goma.

“The world must not look away. These are human beings—children, mothers, fathers—who deserve safety, dignity, and hope.” A Glimmer of Resilience Despite the hardships, stories of resilience and solidarity emerge. Communities in safer parts of North Kivu are opening their doors to displaced families, sharing the little they have. Aid workers are working tirelessly, often at great personal risk, to deliver assistance. For many, however, the road ahead remains uncertain.

As conflict lines shift and the humanitarian situation deteriorates, the question lingers: how long can these families endure? And how much longer will the world allow their cries for help to go unanswered? As the sun sets over Goma, the faces of displaced children reflect a mix of fear and quiet determination a poignant reminder of the need for urgent and decisive action to end the suffering in eastern Congo.