2 May 2009
WHAT’S THE SITUATION IN EASTERN DRC AT THE MOMENT?
While all-out war has abated, high levels of instability continue to shatter communities in eastern DRC.
Close to one million people remain displaced from their homes, living in poor conditions in camps, where they are vulnerable to disease and violence.
Approximately half of these people are children, more vulnerable to rape and recruitment into armed groups. Protection of civilians and an end to all fighting and violence is the highest priority to meet immediate humanitarian needs and provide the environment for development.
It is estimated some 300,000 people have been able to return to their villages, but they are finding their homes and farms destroyed. They risk hunger and malnutrition as they plant, cultivate and wait for the next harvest season.
IS THE SITUATION GETTING BETTER OR WORSE IN EASTERN CONGO?
There is an active war being fought against ordinary people. The increasing number of soldiers being integrated into the Congolese army and the continued acts of retaliation by Hutu rebels against local villages means civilians are the ones being hit hardest by ongoing instability.
WHAT IS WORLD VISION DOING TO HELP CHILDREN AFFECTED BY THE CRISIS IN DRC?
World Vision is providing emergency relief in the short-term but also helping the families beyond the immediate crisis.
Through six child-friendly spaces in six displacement camps, more than 21,000 children have benefited from activities and trainings organized by our child protection teams since October 2007.
World Vision is providing clean water and latrines to camps and host communities, while training families in hygiene practises.
Through its local protection committees, World Vision is teaching leaders and children how to protect themselves, identify risks and mitigate the threats of violence.
World Vision is also providing much-needed nutrition treatment to more than 2,000 children suffering from moderate or severe malnutrition.
Seeds and tools and livestock are being distributed to vulnerable families to help them improve their agricultural production.
We also partner with several local NGOs that support disabled, abandoned, separated and orphaned children. While children’s groups are supported to carry out crucial advocacy work in the areas of child rights, sexual violence and justice, for example.
WHAT MAKES CHILDREN VULNERABLE?
Camps are densely crowded, chaotic environments. Children are more vulnerable to sexual violence, abuse and exploitation, recruitment into armed groups, abduction, social exclusion and emotional distress.
Woman and girls are particularly vulnerable to rape and sexual violence. According to the UN, sexual violence against women and girls in Congo is the worst in the world.
HOW DO CHILD-FRIENDLY SPACES HELP CHILDREN?
Child-friendly spaces not only provide a safe and protective environment where children can overcome the emotional stress of the conflict, they also continue to be a strategic point of identification and referral of child protection concerns.
Children and adolescents receive psychosocial support, stimulating their learning and well-being in a protective environment. Activities range from sports to learning about hygiene, drawings, sewing, to helping parents become aware of their children’s critical needs.
Child-friendly spaces give children access to adults other than their parents, offering them informed staff with whom they may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive issues. They may have been victims of sexual violence and have little knowledge of HIV and AIDS. The number of girls participating in the discussions groups has increased, prompting World Vision to increase the number of groups held on a weekly basis. The sessions provide girls with a forum to air and discuss issues affecting them in their community and how to respond to them.
Child-friendly spaces have also played a peace-building and reconciliation role by gathering children from different ethnic groups and origins, teaching them to live together as part of one community and cement their relationships, helping to prevent inter-community conflicts.
When the project started, children were drawing helicopters, guns, blood, violence, houses on fire, bombs and people with one leg. During drawing sessions, they portrayed every type of imaginable violence, including sexual violence against women and girls. Now, thanks to the support provided in the spaces, they are drawing nature, flowers, donkeys, rivers, and houses.
Older children take part in vocational activities such as sewing, carpentry, and volleyball. Through child-friendly spaces, children have found something new in their lives to be excited about, despite the ensuing conflict.
HOW HAS WAR AFFECTED CHILDREN IN THE DRC?
As a child-focused agency, World Vision sees the devastating impact the conflict continues to have on children.
Close to 3,500 children have been abducted or recruited into armed groups in eastern DRC. Since the beginning of the year, there has been an increase in the number of children being disarmed and brought back into communities, with almost 500 being released in January and February. However we have seen very few girls returning to their homes, meaning many remain “sex slaves” or forced domestic help, living with rebel forces.
World Vision monitors abuse of children as part of its protection work. We are supporting children who have been raped, tortured, separated from their family, orphaned by war, sold into prostitution or married early in order to survive.
We are helping families to protect themselves through forming protection committees in camps, early warning systems and providing training in human rights and protection techniques.
WHY IS RAPE SO WIDESPREAD IN EASTERN DRC?
There is a culture of almost total impunity for crimes such as rape, whether committed by government or rebel groups. War and poverty have forced many women and girls —
especially orphans — into prostitution as a means of survival. Domestic violence has increased due to the high levels of poverty, alcohol abuse and the militaristic nature of society in the DRC.
One woman said: “Women are instruments of war in eastern DRC. We have lost our rightful place in this country.”
WHAT IS WORLD VISION DOING TO ADDRESS SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN DRC?
Prevention of violence has to be tackled from many angles. Because of our proximity to communities, World Vision works directly with families to identify and mitigate the vulnerability of women and girls. We are working with those affected to reduce the chances of violence.
For example, we have begun introducing fuel-efficient stoves in camps, where many women and children are highly vulnerable to rape while in the forest collecting firewood. Fuel-efficient stoves require far less fuel and help cut down exposure to violent attacks.
We have also established community based protection committees in camps to monitor the external security situation and report on violence in the camps. The committees also work as advocates through agencies and authorities such as police and hospitals. The community escort committees accompany women in activities that expose them to threats including collection of firewood.
Other initiatives include strengthening the community’s early warning mechanisms to respond to conflict in a timely manner. The early warning and monitoring system keeps community committees updated on security situations in surrounding areas and identifies if people need to evacuate and when it is safe to return home. We will soon be distributing mobile phones and whistles to the committees.
World Vision is training militia, local authorities and police forces in human rights, international humanitarian law and local law, helping them to better protect the local population.
We also work collaboratively with Heal Africa, an NGO providing specialized care to victims of sexual violence.
HOW IS WORLD VISION RESPONDING TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES?
World Vision is continuing to respond to the immediate needs of vulnerable people, as well as the long-term effects of war.
Whether it’s providing clean drinking water or showers to vulnerable communities, or seeds and tools to those struggling to rebuild their livelihoods, we are helping people to transition from the difficulty of camp life to the challenges of going home to shattered villages.
DO YOU WORK WITH OTHER NGOS ON THE GROUND?
World Vision DRC, Eastern region, has long and good relations with UN Agencies, including UNHCR, UNICEF, FAO, UNDP and WFP, as well as international and local NGOs such as Heal Africa and Save the Children. The office partners with UNICEF to run Child Friendly Spaces in IDP camps and nutrition centers in rural areas for example.
DO YOU WORK WITH THE GOVERNMENT OR WITH REBEL GROUPS?
Partnership with the Congolese Government is an important of sustainable development and relief. World Vision supports national structures to help strengthen them in the long-term. WVDRC also coordinates with local authorities in its areas of operations to effectively address the needs of the populations and also ensure a joined-up humanitarian response.
