**The silent tragedy: sexual violence against minors in displaced persons camps in Bunia**
At the heart of the urban bustle of Bunia, a dark and often ignored drama is unfolding discreetly in the camps for displaced people: sexual violence against minor girls. Within these precarious communities, hundreds of children find themselves left to their own devices, exposed to exploitation and violence.
Among these displaced young girls, some hang out in the streets in search of subsistence, others seek shelter in abandoned construction sites, which have become their desolate refuge. It is there, in these places of distress, that an unbearable scenario plays out: sexual abuse perpetrated by other minors or unscrupulous individuals who exploit the vulnerability of the weakest in exchange for a few advantages.
Every day, these little girls leave the camps to wander around town, exposed to the darkest dangers. Some spend the night in undignified conditions, sleeping in gutters, ruins or makeshift shelters, vulnerable to all forms of exploitation.
Caring for these young girls and adolescents remains a major challenge. The authorities struggle to ensure their protection, leaving these children to their own devices, exposed to all forms of harm. The consequences of this neglect are felt in a cruel way: early pregnancies, forced marriages, unfathomable trauma.
Faced with this unbearable reality, civil society is sounding the alarm. Children’s rights defenders denounce the abandonment of these young victims, calling on the Congolese state to act urgently to protect them. Because it is not only these little girls who are in danger, it is the future of an entire generation which is compromised.
John Ramazani, a fervent defender of children’s rights, warns of the disastrous consequences of this collective neglect. These children abandoned today, without support or protection, could fall prey to crime tomorrow, creating a vicious cycle of violence and despair.
It is urgent to take action. The Congolese state must take its responsibilities and put in place concrete measures to protect these vulnerable children. Support, psychological support and education initiatives are necessary to enable them to rebuild their lives and regain hope for a better future.
Together, by breaking the silence and acting with determination, we can end this silent tragedy that strikes the weakest among us. It is time to work for a safer and fairer future for all the children of Bunia.