46,000 children forced to flee amid violence in DRC

By Felix Nkambeh Tih

ANKARA (AA) - More than 46,000 children have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict in the northeastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday.

In a statement, UNICEF said it has documented more than 76 murders, most of them were women and children. “More than 70 villages were also burned down in recent violence.”

The UN agency said at least three health centers and seven schools were looted or burned, depriving children of health care and education.

More than 100 schools interrupted classes due to the violence, affecting 30,000 school-going children, it said.

“UNICEF and its partners have identified 70 unaccompanied children and 245 children separated from their families in urgent need of assistance near the General Hospital of Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province.''

The statement further said UNICEF and its government partner have sent child protection teams to the field to identify unaccompanied children and those who have been separated from their families.

The agency also called on all parties involved in the conflict to protect children from violence and to seek peaceful resolution to their disputes.

Insurgent groups have been carrying out attacks in DRC for several decades. There are several militia groups in eastern DRC formed by warlords that have been accused of looting property and controlling some gold mines.

The country has also seen several protests as the opposition parties blame Joseph Kabila of avoiding elections and extending his term through illegal means.