At Least 28 Children Killed in Latest Brutal Attack in Eastern DRC

KINSHASA, (February 12, 2025) – At least 28 children were among 52 people killed in a violent attack in Djugu territory, Ituri province, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a wave of extreme violence fuels an escalating humanitarian crisis across the country, said Save the Children.

Save the Children received reports from partners in Djugu territory confirming the deaths of 28 children in the attack that happened late Monday, many of whom were students at local schools. The attackers used machetes, guns, and fire to attack the village, which was home to many families, including a large proportion of women and children. Many homes were burned to the ground, with people trapped inside them.

Moise*, a community leader in Djugu territory who collaborates with Save the Children on various projects, said:

“We are living in constant insecurity. It is impossible to walk 20 meters without risking death. We also depend on agriculture for our livelihoods. This is a crucial planting season, with the hope of harvesting in May and June. However, with the current situation, it is impossible to go to the fields because it is dangerous to be more than a kilometer away from home. Famine kills more than the army’s fire, especially children.

“Among the victims this week were students. Many other students and teachers have now fled. This is likely to lead to school dropouts among children due to what they have experienced and the flight of teachers. We urge the authorities to take responsibility to protect the population and allow children to return to school.”

Multiple conflicts are currently ravaging the DRC. Ituri province is in the far east of the country, to the north of the provinces of North and South Kivu, where another conflict has killed more than 3,000 people in recent weeks, including many children, according to UN reports. Across the DRC, more than 7 million people, including 3.5 million children, are displaced due to conflict.

Greg Ramm, Save the Children’s Country Director in DRC, said:

“We are shocked and outraged by this senseless and brutal attack on innocent children. The killing of children in any conflict is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and must be condemned in the strongest possible term, while the perpetrators of this act must be held to account. “This latest attack underscores the urgent need for increased protection and support for affected people and communities. Children and their families urgently need support. Despite soaring needs, the current humanitarian response across eastern DRC is vastly inadequate due to an unprecedented lack of funding and international attention.

We reiterate our call on the international community to take immediate actions to address the rapidly unfolding crisis in the DRC. This includes providing emergency assistance to those displaced, supporting efforts to protect civilians and working towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”

Save the Children started working in eastern DRC in 1994 and is currently working with 13 local partners, international partners, and government authorities to deliver critical health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, child protection and education support to children and their families.