Bujumbura: The number of children reporting sexual assault after fleeing into Burundi to escape violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has more than tripled this year with aid cuts dramatically reducing the support available.
According to Save the Children, between January and June this year, staff in Burundi recorded over 478 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) including over 172 against children, most of them rape cases, which was a 249% increase from a year ago. More than one million people have been displaced by violence in DRC this year as the conflict dramatically escalated, including over 41,000 who have fled to Burundi, according to the UN.
Save the Children staff in Burundi said children who have faced sexual violence are in dire need of psychological support to overcome the trauma and are at risk of low self-esteem, self-blame, isolation, stigmatization, and discrimination without help. Rita, a 16-year-old girl living in a refugee camp in eastern Burundi, shared her traumatic experience with Save the Children, detailing the violence she and her family endured before fleeing to Burundi.
Nadege Nizigama, Save the Children's Child Protection and GBV case worker for Burundi, spoke about the various forms of abuse children have faced, including rape and forced marriages. She mentioned her ongoing efforts to provide psychosocial support to affected children, but stressed the need for more to be done to restore the children's wellbeing and strengthen their resilience.
Geoffrey Kirenga, Save the Children's Head of Mission in Burundi, highlighted the devastating impact of conflict-related sexual violence used as a tool of war. He emphasized the critical child protection concerns and the necessity for survivors to receive medical care and protection, noting that the number of reported cases likely underrepresents the true scale of the issue due to fear of victimization.
The impact of aid cuts is significant, given the vulnerability of the beneficiaries. Many families have faced psychological trauma due to conflict and left their homes with nothing. The funding gaps could force the closure of programs crucial to children and families in dire need. Save the Children is urging the international community not to abandon these children at a time when they need help the most. Save the Children has been operational in Burundi since 2016, providing vital services in child protection, GBV prevention and response, health, child rights governance, and education, assisting thousands of displaced children and their families.