UNICEF: Helping former child soldiers in DR Congo

Simon, 15, always loved to garden on his family's farm in the Masisi territory of eastern DR Congo. At age 10, however, he was forcibly abducted by the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie (RCD) militia, and for several years he fought on the front lines in many battles and was forced to loot villages in order to survive.

After several unsuccessful attempts to escape, Simon (not his real name) managed to find refuge at the UNICEF-supported Centre de Transit et Orientation (CTO), a reintegration centre for children associated with armed forces.

Child recruitment is a major concern for humanitarian groups in DR Congo. In recent years UNICEF has played a key role in working to abolish the practice and focus resources on the young victims, in keeping with the 'Paris Principles' adopted by more than 60 countries this year.

To read the full story, visit: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/drcongo_41067.html

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• UNICEF
• DR
• Congo
• child soldier