Despite vast natural resources, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the poorest countries in the world. Extreme poverty, economic crisis, conflict situations, food insecurity, epidemic outbreaks, etc. are all factors that negatively impact the social situation and well-being of Congolese people, especially women and children.

The county has the third largest population in Africa with an estimated 90 million inhabitants, 54% of whom are children under 18. Although DRC has made significant progress in reducing child mortality and access to education for children, a majority of children remain deprived of many of their rights :

• 1 in 10 children dies before reaching the age of 5;
• more than 7 million children aged 5 to 17 are out of school;
• 33 million people living in rural areas do not have access to safe drinking water;
• 75% of children under 5 do not have their birth registered;
• 6 million children suffer from chronic malnutrition or stunting.

Beyond the challenges of long-term development, the humanitarian situation has deteriorated in recent years. Nearly 20 million people are currently in need of urgent humanitarian assistance across the country, including 11.5 million children.

UNICEF has been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1963 to reach the most disadvantaged children, to save their lives, to defend their rights and to help them fulfil their potential.