Title: The sad reality of unaccompanied children in Bunia
Introduction :
In the heart of the town of Bunia, in Ituri, many children find themselves left to their own devices every night along the main arteries. Their precarious situation is made all the more felt with the return of the rains to the region. Without shelter or protection from bad weather, these children aged 5 to 15 face difficult nights, exposed to illness and bitter cold. In this article, we will highlight this disturbing reality and we will question the solutions to get these children out of this distress.
A daily life devoid of any comfort:
In their quest to survive, these children spend their days wandering in search of food. Exhausted, they find refuge in front of shops to spend the night. Deprived of blankets, sheets, mattresses and even sleeping bags, they have nothing to protect themselves from bad weather. The rain adds to their ordeal and leaves them shivering and soaked. Some of them take substances to try to fight the cold and manage to sleep.
A desperate cry for help:
Faced with this critical situation, one of the unaccompanied children begs for help. He expresses their dismay, their lack of bearings and security: “We don’t know where to sleep, we have nothing to cover ourselves and when it rains at night, we are cold. We ask for help to get out of this situation”.
The role of organizations for the well-being of children:
The Network of Associations for Sustainable Development (RADD) is mobilizing for the well-being of these vulnerable children. Recently, they have already been able to take care of 120 children by offering them temporary accommodation. However, many other children still find themselves left to fend for themselves on the streets of Bunia. The RADD continues its efforts by pleading for a more decent place to accommodate them.
The context of insecurity:
Most of these unaccompanied children come from the territory of Djugu and Ituri, where insecurity reigns due to the activism of various armed groups. The precarious security situation in these regions pushes many children to migrate to Bunia, in search of a semblance of security and better living conditions.
Conclusion :
The reality of unaccompanied children in Bunia is both heartbreaking and alarming. These children left to their own devices, without shelter or protection, deserve the attention and help of the community, local authorities and humanitarian organizations. It is urgent to find solutions to offer them a safe place to stay and dignified living conditions. No child should be forced to spend their nights on the streets, exposed to dangers and bad weather. Let’s act together to put an end to this situation and offer a better future to these vulnerable children.