World Vision Warns Of Increased Risk To Children’s Lives As Most Child Protection And Health Systems In Goma Are No Longer In Operation

• Secondary aftershocks created by the destruction of hospitals and schools putting children’s lives at further risk
• World Vision calls for immediate cessation of violence and commencement of dialogue
• Child focussed NGO is preparing to rapidly increase it’s humanitarian response in Goma once access is granted  

  February 7, 2025 –Fifteen days into the DRC War, international aid organisation World Vision is urging parties to the conflict to return to dialogue and protect children from a worsening humanitarian crisis.

“This humanitarian crisis is set to devolve into disaster,” says David Munkley, World Vision’s Eastern DRC Director for Operations. 

“We fear that the destruction of IDPs Camps is only the beginning of even darker days ahead as this conflict escalates across North and South Kivu. And along with it will come an even larger surge of people fleeing for their lives, in desperate need of protection, food and shelter. We need leaders around the world to make a real push for peace as humanitarian agencies continue to plead for unrestricted humanitarian access to meet growing needs.”

The number of families who have fled Goma has surpassed 500,000 people. At the same time, some Congolese who had left the country are now attempting to return home[1]. With hundreds of schools and health centres destroyed, World Vision is warning that children are now at an even higher risk due to severely compromised child protection and health systems. 

“Violent conflict leads to two kinds of deadly trauma. There are casualties from guns and bombs, but the secondary aftershocks created by the destruction of hospitals and schools can be deadlier still,” says Mr Munkley.

 “For example, we are extremely concerned about the outbreak of deadly diseases like TB and measles because many children have now missed routine vaccinations. The international community must support humanitarian agencies to protect and support the millions of children whose lives and health are threatened across the country.” 

On this, the fifteenth day of the new offensive launched by the M23 rebels since the beginning of 2025, World Vision is calling on all parties to have a humanitarian pause to allow families a chance to travel to safety and access urgently needed supplies. Leaders should use a pause period for meaningful dialogues that lay the foundations for a pathway for peace. 

“The future of millions of children is at risk, but it does not have to be this way, as the country buries its many dead and tries to save the lives of the many wounded , this weekend should provide all parties involved in conflict with  a moment of reflection in the midst of this horrific violence and a time to recognise that it must stop immediately,” says Aline Napon, Country Director of World Vision.

“Recent escalations in violence created massive population displacements, exacerbating the already disastrous humanitarian situation. Just last week the number of Congolese on the move hit a new high. Half a million people have been displaced since the beginning of the year[2]. That is in addition to the 6.8 million people already displaced in DRC. “Said Ms Napon.

World Vision has been responding to the recent crisis in DRC through its long-term office in Goma and is currently preparing to rapidly increase its humanitarian response there, once access has been granted. It is also supporting displaced families and refugees in North and South Kivu.

ENDS.   
  
Media Contact:  

For further information or to organise an interview, please contact: David Munkley at david_munkley@wvi.org