In the tumult of the Democratic Republic of Congo, children are facing enormous challenges that shake their daily lives and compromise their future. The recent National Report on Children and the SDGs in the DRC has highlighted a shocking reality, revealing an alarming situation and glaring statistics that require urgent and concerted action.
The observation is clear: multidimensional poverty is rife among Congolese households with children, affecting nearly 77% of them. These chilling figures reflect the increased vulnerability of children, whose basic needs often remain unmet. The lack of access to education, health and nutrition plunges millions of children into unacceptable precariousness.
Hunger and malnutrition, listed in SDG 2, are omnipresent scourges in the DRC. With 6 million children affected by malnutrition, including 3.7 million in acute malnutrition, the situation is critical. The devastating consequences are manifested through an alarming rate of stunting and a worrying infant mortality, demonstrating the urgency of a targeted and effective intervention.
The issue of children’s health, addressed in SDG 3, remains a crucial issue. While progress has been made, particularly in reducing infant mortality, persistent challenges persist. Malaria remains a major threat, seriously impacting the lives of the youngest. In addition, mother-to-child transmission of HIV represents a major challenge, highlighting the need to strengthen prevention and care programs.
In terms of education, SDG 4 reveals worrying gaps. Despite free primary education, many children fail to complete their schooling, thus plunging into a cycle of poverty and exclusion. Access to quality education remains one of the fundamental keys to breaking the cycle of poverty and offering Congolese children promising future prospects.
Faced with this glaring reality, it is imperative that the Congolese authorities and the international community join forces to implement effective policies and programs aimed at improving the living conditions of children in the DRC. The future of the Congolese nation lies in the well-being and development of its youth, and it is our collective duty to ensure a better future for generations to come.