Tina

Conflict, hunger and disease are threatening millions of children’s lives

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, and children are paying the heaviest price. Over 2 million children are at risk of dying of hunger.

Conflict has been raging in the country for two decades. Schools and hospitals are being burnt to the ground and human rights violations are widespread, with sexual violence being used as a weapon of war.

When it seems the situation couldn't get any worse, children are also up against outbreaks of deadly diseases. Cholera and Ebola are claiming lives across the country and urgent action is needed to stop the spread of these life-threatening diseases, before it is too late.

Tina* had a good life until her village became a battlefield between government forces and local militia.

“Our house was burnt down. We found out from other villagers that my father was killed. He was decapitated. My mum and my siblings walked about 30 kilometers without anything.”

She fled with her family to live with her aunt. Her mother is very ill, and 19 members of her extended family now live together in a small hut. Food is extremely scarce. Tina stopped attending school because of the violence and is worried that she won’t be able to make a future for herself without an education.

Save the Children is on the ground, working to help the most vulnerable children survive and stay safe. We've deployed our Emergency Health Unit to deliver lifesaving healthcare to children in urgent need. This includes treating sick and injured children suffering from pneumonia, malaria and diarrhoea, as well as providing safe drinking water and installing hand-washing points.

We're also providing vital education and child protection support to protect children's futures. We're repairing damaged schools and supplying learning materials so that children can return to school.

And we’re delivering psychosocial support and providing children with safe spaces to play and learn, whilst they recover from horrors no child should ever face.