War Child DRC

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Kinshasa, Goma
In partnership with War Child UK

The conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has claimed more than five million lives - making it the planet's deadliest conflict since World War II. But despite the horrific levels of sexual violence and millions of people displaced from their homes and schools, it remains Africa's forgotten war and rarely makes the headlines of the world's media. Although the conflict has officially finished, much of the country remains desperately poor and the continuing violence in the eastern regions make it one of the most dangerous places on earth to be a woman. War Child has worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2004.They are currently supporting street girls in the capital Kinshasa, and helping to protect and rebuild the lives of girls and young women in North Kivu.

Supporting vulnerable girls in Goma

Eastern D.R. Congo is one of the most dangerous places on earth to be a woman. The area has witnessed a horrific level of rape and sexual violence. A study revealed that an average of 48 women are raped every hour in Congo – and that is likely to seriously underestimate the true figure because many women don’t report these incidents for fear of being stigmatised.

More than one million people have been displaced from their homes in the region. Many flee to the relative safety of big towns like Goma – but without a job or anywhere to live, young women often end up on the streets and forced into prostitution.

In partnership with local NGO Don Bosco War Child is hoping to support 800 girls over three years. They aim to reunify them with their families, or to give them the skills to live independently.

Supporting street children in Kinshasa

War Child is providing a vital lifeline for street children — especially girls and young women living violent, dangerous lives on the streets of one of Kinshasa’s roughest neighbourhoods. Their night ambulance and drop-in centre are helping girls to keep safe on, and ultimately to leave the streets – where most are forced into selling sex just to survive.

Decades of conflict in the Congo have left millions of people in desperate poverty and without a functioning welfare state to rely on. Tens of thousands of children live on the streets of the capital Kinshasa. Some have to earn money to help supplement their meagre family income. Some are living on the streets because their families simply couldn’t afford to feed and care for them.

Life on the streets is an extremely tough and often violent existence. Many children collect scrap plastic or beg for food and money. Some turn to robbery and many develop alcohol and drug dependencies as a means of coping with the brutality of their everyday life. Lots of the girls are forced into prostitution as a means of survival. It’s not uncommon for them to have babies of their own as a result of these encounters.

Please see their website for more information www.warchild.org.uk