Neutrality in a time of crisis

| 20th November 2008

As Goma and North Kivu face a humanitarian crisis it is once again
the children of war burdening the greatest challenges. General Nkunda’s
campaign of terror in the name of Tutsi protection has caused the
displacement of tens of thousands of civilians in the area and has
caused much anger and resentment amongst these Congolese IDPs.
5.4 million people have died since 1998 from war-related violence,
hunger and disease. With the advance of General Nkunda’s army and
hostilities resuming with government troops, any form of a peace accord
has been severely eroded.

War Child’s priority has always been children and providing them
with the best protective environment possible given the circumstances.
We will continue to openly discuss and engage with child protection
issues, increasing the capacity of those around them to protect them
whilst ensuring child participation.
In a war fuelled by greed, corruption and terror the mountain the
international community needs to climb is by no means a small one. What
humanitarian agencies like us need to do is ensure lives are saved;
ensure children are getting the education and psycho-social care they
need in order to allow them the greatest possibility of reaching their
potential. Given the circumstances this was never going to be an easy
task. Political circumstances have to be left to the politicians. Our
neutrality will remain, and our commitment even stronger. We will
always operate under the premise that all children deserve protection –
and we will continue to strive to foster this.

• Digg
• Del.icio.us
• Email to a friend
• Add a new comment