what's THE PROBLEM?
- 1 in 5 children are expected to die before their 5th birthday
- 2.7 million children have died from the conflicts in Congo
- Congo was the lowest ranked country in the UN's HDI Report in 2012
- The average life expectancy is only 48, that is 35 years less than Japan's, and 23 years less than the average life expectancy of the whole world
- More children under 5 in Congo will die than in China, although the Chinese population is 20 times greater
- 200,000 women and girls in Congo have been the victims of sexual violence within the past 15 years
- High amounts of "street children" (children who live on the streets due to separation and loss of family, often involved in violence, gangs, drugs, abuse, and victims of those as well)
- Considered the worst place in the world to be a woman
how are people helping?
Organizations such as War Child are implementing solutions for children harmed the conflicts in the D.R. of Congo. The ways they're helping include:
- Telephone helplines for children in danger to call
- A night ambulance that patrols the dangerous streets and alleys of Congo to rescue and care for street children in harm's way
- A Drop-In Centre that serves as a sanctuary for female youth. They are able to live safely through it and they are trained for jobs such as being a hairdresser or tailor there, which has very positive current and future impact on the girls
- They also work to educate boys which turns them away from a future of violence, which benefits both them, and the girls
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Visit our page DONATE to help the children directly