Democratic Republic Of Congo

In 2007, following years of brutal civil war, I visited the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and had the opportunity to meet children formerly associated with armed-groups, survivors of sexual violence, and communities of displaced people who have abandoned their homes to avoid the ongoing violence in the region. I spent a couple days at a supported hospital treating women infected with HIV/AIDS as well as young female victims of sexual violence and rape. 

Today, UNICEF DRC continues to mobilize resources by working closely with the government and NGOs to provide basic services and assist in the restoration of communities and families torn apart by armed conflict. They also maintain their large-scale rapid emergency response in this war-torn region by supporting the young lives of children through programs in nutrition, health-care, clean water, protection and education.