Video by unicef



BUKAVU, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 31 August 2009 The deep, ongoing problems facing women and children in eastern DR Congo have been highlighted during the visit by UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman.

Embroiled in conflict since the mid 1990s, eastern DR Congo has seen the widespread use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Rape has devastated the lives of women and children, and their families and communities, and they remain at risk today.

In Bukavu, Veneman visited a UNICEF-supported hospital where nearly 4,000 women who suffered violent sexual assault have been treated. The hospital staff perform fistula repair operations. For those who cant make it to Bukavu for treatment, UNICEF supports a mobile clinic that has treated nearly 30,000 women and children who have been victims of sexual violence.

While I was horrified by the violence inflicted on these children, I was inspired by the sheer will and determination of the community to help, said Veneman.

I met five women, each of whom had taken in traumatized children despite having limited resources and large families of their own, she added. This kind of community care is a true example of humanitarianism.

To read the full story, visit http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/d...

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