In recent reports from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the crisis in Ituri, a province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has reached alarming levels. Over 290 schools have been damaged or destroyed this year alone, pushing the total number of out-of-school children in the region to more than 1.3 million. This situation not only affects education but also endangers the lives and futures of countless children.
Protection Crisis
Between January and April 2025, the escalation of violence led to the displacement of more than 100,000 people, with children representing half of those affected. Reports indicated that crimes such as abduction, sexual violence, and the recruitment of children by armed groups surged by 32% compared to last year. As UNICEF’s representative in the DRC, John Adbor, noted, this has created what he describes as a “protection crisis.” He emphasized, “Violence and conflict are shattering children’s right to learn—putting them at far greater risk of being recruited by armed groups, exploited, and abused.”
Adbor highlighted the immense needs of these children, pointing out that UNICEF’s resources are insufficient to meet the growing demands. With over 1.8 million children affected by conflict now out of school across the DRC, UNICEF is prioritizing mental health support. Initiatives focus on creating child-friendly spaces and reintegrating children previously associated with armed groups while also addressing acute malnutrition challenges.
WHO Approves Two New Vaccines to Protect Infants from RSV
Turning our attention to global health, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently greenlit two new vaccines aimed at combatting Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the leading cause of severe lung infections in young children worldwide. Shockingly, RSV leads to approximately 100,000 deaths annually among children under five, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries. “Although RSV can affect people of any age, it is especially dangerous for infants, particularly those born prematurely,” remarked Kate O’Brien from WHO.
Tragically, about half of all RSV-related fatalities happen in babies who are less than six months old. In response, the WHO has released recommendations for a maternal vaccine, which is to be administered during the third trimester of pregnancy to provide immunity for newborns, and a long-acting antibody injection for infants that offers immediate protection for up to five months. “These RSV immunization products can transform the fight against severe RSV disease, dramatically reducing hospitalizations and fatalities, and ultimately saving many infant lives worldwide,” O’Brien added.
Dire Hurricane Forecasts Compound Haiti Woes
In light of natural disasters, UN humanitarian agencies are warning about Haiti’s increased vulnerability, especially as the 2025 hurricane season approaches, expected to be more intense than average across Latin America and the Caribbean. Running from June to November, this upcoming season could pose dire consequences for Haiti, a nation already grappling with economic crises and rampant gang violence that has displaced over one million people.
Displacement Sites at Risk
Currently, more than 200,000 individuals reside in displacement sites, many of which are located in flood-prone areas. The lack of adequate shelter, drainage, and sanitation facilities in these camps renders families highly susceptible to storm-related threats. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric underscored these vulnerabilities, warning that these conditions make families “acutely vulnerable to storms.”
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is collaborating with national authorities and humanitarian partners to prepare for the hurricane season. Their proactive measures include contingency planning, mapping high-risk areas—particularly displacement sites—and enhancing early warning systems. However, limited humanitarian access hampers these efforts, and the ongoing lack of pre-positioned supplies significantly impacts capacity for emergency response.
This shortfall underscores a more significant issue of underfunding, as Dujarric pointed out: “Funding remains a major obstacle to the UN’s emergency response in Haiti.” The stakes are high, as the country’s already fragile infrastructure must withstand the impending storms with insufficient support.
