In August, UNICEF warned of a worsening humanitarian situation in eastern DRC, highlighting that a surge in conflict and population displacement in the region was pushing children into the worst cholera crisis since 2017. The attacks claim even more innocent lives.
"UNICEF condemns an attack reported to have been carried out on Sunday in the northeast of Beni near the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with Uganda," the statement said on Tuesday.
Initial reports have put the death toll at 29, including eight children between four and 15 years of age, the statement said.
UNICEF emphasized that cases of killing, maiming, and abducting children have increased dramatically this year.
"As a result, the DRC is on track to have record levels of verified grave violations against children for a third consecutive year," the statement said.
The latest data shows a 41% increase in the number of verified grave violations against children in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period a year ago.