Reports of gender-based violence (GBV) against girls and women there increased by 37 percent in the first three months of the year compared to the same period last year, according to the GBV Coordinating Group for North Kivu.
In North Kivu alone, more than 38,000 cases of gender-based violence were reported throughout 2022. In most cases, survivors reported this attacked by armed men and displaced persons in and around the camps.
Attacked where they should be safe
“Deeply vulnerable children and women, seek a refuge in camps find themselves instead be subjected to more abuse and pain,” called UNICEFGrant Leaity, Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“The rise in sexual violence against children is staggering. According to reports, children as young as three have been sexually exploited. This wake-up call should shock, sicken and spur us all into action.”
Since the beginning of March 2022, over 1.16 million people have been displaced by clashes between conflicting factions in North Kivu.
Almost 60 percent of the displaced live there crowded sites and collective accommodation just outside of Goma, the provincial capital, where the risk of sexual violence is extremely high.
Exploitation in hundreds of locations
UNICEF is also aware of the very high level of sexual exploitation of children more than 1,000 websites in and around displaced persons camps.
The impact on the physical and mental health of girls and women is immeasurable and lasting, the agency said. Approximately one in four survivors of sexual violence need special medical and psychological supportaccording to the GBV coordination group.
Injured UN peacekeepers from Morocco, DRC, are transported for treatment after being attacked by armed group M23 in Kiwanja, Rutshuru North Kivu.
UNICEF and partners increase support
UNICEF has stepped up its prevention and response activities and provided basic medical and psychosocial services to affected girls and women in the four largest refugee camps near Goma, the organization said.
In collaboration with the State Department of Social Affairs and in partnership with Hail AfricaIn addition, the agency has set up safe rooms for girls and women in refugee camps, where psychologists, professional social workers and trained parasocial workers in the community identify and care for children and women in need and refer them to additional services when needed.
To protect girls and women, UNICEF is urging a significant expansion of services to prevent and respond to sexual violence in and around IDP camps. an end to the large-scale sexual exploitation of girls and women; and the dissolution of identified sites in and around camps where sexual exploitation takes place.
UNICEF is also appealing to donors so that people stranded in refugee camps can receive more direct aid.
“We call on the government, local authorities, partners and donors to take all necessary measures We urge you to end this situation immediately, close known places of sexual exploitation and protect women and girls who have already been victims of displacement,” added Mr. Leaity.
The United Nations continues to provide humanitarian assistance to people displaced by armed clashes in North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
