World Vision responds to escalating violence in eastern DRC

GOMA (February 18, 2025) – Christian humanitarian organization World Vision has expressed grave concern over the worsening situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including unconscionable violence against children. The U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has indicated that children are being recruited and armed — a grave violation of international humanitarian and human rights law. World Vision strongly condemns these atrocities and calls for urgent international action to protect the lives and well-being of children. 

“The emotional toll on children cannot be ignored,” said Patrick Saah, World Vision’s director of programs in DRC. “We are seeing an entire generation of Congolese children being destroyed by war, violence and displacement.” 

In South Kivu the current situation has displaced thousands and left millions of children at risk of violence, exploitation and hunger. The conflict is stripping children of their future — depriving them of education, exposing them to severe trauma and increasing the risk of sexual violence and forced labor. 

In recent days, the humanitarian situation has worsened significantly, with widespread looting of emergency food stocks and supplies. The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported the pillaging of 7,000 tons of food aid in Bukavu, leaving hundreds of thousands of people at risk of starvation. As the WFP’s largest distribution partner, World Vision understands the grave long-term impact this will have on already vulnerable families, whose access to food has been compromised as the threat of hunger deepens. 

World Vision urges all parties to the conflict to uphold international human rights and humanitarian law, prioritize the safety of children and families, and ensure safe access to humanitarian aid by protecting aid workers and allowing relief distributions.  

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visit worldvision.org or follow on X @WorldVisionUSA.