KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO (HRNW) — At least 26 children were killed and another 25 injured after a devastating fire broke out in Bukavu, South Kivu, prompting UNICEF to mobilize support for affected children, families and communities.
The fire occurred on September 10 and affected homes as well as two primary schools in the Furaha and Ujamaa areas of Bukavu, according to UNICEF.
The UN children’s agency expressed deep concern over the scale of the tragedy and said injured children were receiving medical treatment following the incident.
UNICEF warned that the impact on children extends beyond the immediate loss of life and injuries. Children who survived the disaster are facing psychological distress in an already volatile environment affected by armed conflict and insecurity.
The organization is working with partners to provide mental-health and psychosocial support to children, students and affected community members.
UNICEF is also supporting access to education so that children affected by the fire can continue their school year despite the destruction of homes and educational facilities.
The agency reported that 11 children who had become separated from their parents during the emergency were reunited with their families on September 11.
UNICEF has called attention to the urgent need to protect children during emergencies and ensure that humanitarian responses address not only immediate physical injuries but also children’s psychological wellbeing, family reunification and continued access to education.
The tragedy adds to the humanitarian challenges facing children in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where insecurity and displacement continue to expose families to serious risks.
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Disclaimer
This article is based on information provided by UNICEF concerning the Bukavu fire. HRNW offers its condolences to the affected families and does not independently verify casualty figures beyond the cited humanitarian source.
