Because of the continued violence and unrest in the Virunga National Park regions of Eastern DRC, thousands of families have had to flee their homes near Rutshuru and are currently seeking refuge in the Kanyaruchinya IDP camps. The M23 rebels have continued to advance toward Goma, affecting more and more families and creating chaos in their fight against the DRC government.

UNICEF and its partners have set up 18 temporary learning spaces in Nyiragongo territory, where more than 2,300 children attend school, but many are without clothes, shoes, and basic necessities as they left everything behind. Additionally, teachers have stepped up to ensure students can keep learning, but when and how much they will get paid remains in question. This news video shows what many have been enduring for months on end: https://twitter.com/france2afrique/status/1628077794973609984?s=46&t=ByHHrjeL869qU_zEfBQwJQ

If you have had the fortune of visiting Virunga, or climbing the nearby volcano, you know the beauty and richness of this region. Please consider donating to support these displaced students and families until they get their security and economy back, as we wait and hope for more peace and stability in the region.