Child Protection in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Child protection in the Democratic Republic of Congo consists of sheltering, treating, reuniting with family and returning to school minors exposed to armed conflict, forced displacement and exploitation. In the DRC (North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Kasai and Kasai Central), SAPI Switzerland works directly with unaccompanied children, children released from armed groups and displaced families.
The situation of children in DRC conflict zones
In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri) and in the Kasai region, hundreds of thousands of children grow up in a context of chronic insecurity. Attacks on villages and schools trigger rapid population displacement during which many children are separated from their parents, pushed out of school and deprived of essential healthcare.
Without community-based protection mechanisms, these minors face the gravest vulnerabilities: recruitment by armed groups, gender-based violence, early labour in mining sites or urban homelessness.
Our 4 intervention pillars: the SAPI-CARE approach
To address the needs of a conflict-affected child in a comprehensive and coherent manner, SAPI deploys its integrated SAPI-CARE operational framework (Heal · Educate · Protect · Empower):
Child protection and human rights: identification, documentation, tracing and reunification (IDTR) of unaccompanied or separated children; prevention of violence and exploitation; strengthening community-based child protection mechanisms.
Mental health and psychosocial support (CARE-MH): psychological first aid, child-friendly spaces, play, art and sports therapy, and trauma counselling for survivors of violence.
Inclusive education and safe learning environments (CARE-EDU & Safe Schools): formal and non-formal educational reintegration, distribution of school kits and teacher training in trauma-sensitive pedagogy (CARE-TEACHERS).
Emergency humanitarian and medical aid (EHMA): primary healthcare, treatment of child malnutrition, maternal and child healthcare, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services.
Our priority intervention areas in the DRC
North Kivu and South Kivu: emergency assistance for displaced and unaccompanied children fleeing armed conflict (notably in Walikale, Nyiragongo, Kalehe and Uvira / Kamanyola territories).
Ituri: community protection, psychosocial support and school reintegration for displaced children.
Kasai and Kasai Central: child protection and reintegration projects for children affected by armed conflict and deported or displaced families.
