In the DRC, the consequences of war on children's health
Fleeing violence leads to a loss of income and resources. To limit the effects of malnutrition on children, HI supports families. Ladislas, Divin's father, shares his story.
Ladislas surrounded by his children in the Bulengo camp for displaced persons in September 2024. | © E. N’Sapu / HI
North Kivu: living amid clashes between armed groups
My name is Ladislas and I used to be secretary to the village chief in Bushuré, where I lived with my family. We were happy there. I had plans to grow potatoes and we wanted to give our children a good education. Everything changed with the war. One day, we heard gunfire around our house. We went outside and started running.
We fled our village on foot because we didn't have a motorbike or car to get away, and it was very difficult to reach Goma. Today, I live here with my wife and children, but I don't have a job and can't even afford basic everyday items like soap.
Life is very hard here, we have suffered a lot. We are not at home, we have no plans for the future and there is not enough food.
War and malnutrition: children are the first victims
My son Divin started suffering from malnutrition when we arrived here. When we were in our village, we had access to a wide variety of foods: at home, he ate vegetables, potatoes, sweet potatoes, beans, corn... The children ate porridge, which we can no longer get here.
Here, our diet is very limited; when we are given food, it is only one type of flour. Because of this, I noticed a change in Divin: he had no energy, didn't talk, and didn't play anymore.
Due to our precarious living conditions, Divin suffered from malnutrition, was unable to express himself and could no longer move.
A little boy playing again
Thanks to the support of various organisations, I received highly nutritious food to help Divin recover from malnutrition. That's when we were advised to contact HI.
Their approach is effective: they welcome everyone without distinction, talk to us kindly and provide free care. They organise games for the children to stimulate their development and train us, the parents, to support them as best we can. Our experience has been very pleasant and I have seen a real improvement in Divin.
Today, my son is not the same as he was before. He can play with other children, he loves playing football, for example, and when we ask him a question, he answers. Thanks to HI's support, he is livelier, more energetic and has regained an interest in the world around him.
Today, Divin has recovered well physically. We play together; in fact, I've just got the ball out for a quick game of football. I'm delighted to see that my son is doing well, and I tell myself that things will get better now.
If I could give any advice to parents in the same situation as me, I would say: go and see HI. I highly recommend this support. Learn the right things to do to help your children regain their energy, health and joie de vivre.
The project "Rehabilitation, inclusive humanitarian action, mental health and psychosocial support and stimulation therapy for vulnerable groups in crisis-affected sub-Saharan Africa" is being implemented in the DRC and Somalia. It began in July 2024 and will continue until June 2026. As part of phase 2 of the project, 2,800 children who have experienced episodes of malnutrition and their parents will receive stimulation therapy to prevent and reduce developmental delays caused by malnutrition.
