Dozens of children from 10 primary schools and 2 secondary schools in the city of Goma, North Kivu, took part on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, in an awareness-raising session on their rights, their protection, and the best practices to adopt to prevent Ebola Virus Disease in both school and family settings.
Organized by MONUSCO through its Child Protection Section, in collaboration with its partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and local associations such as INNOVERT-GL, the activity was held as part of the commemoration of the International Day of the African Child, observed annually on 16 June.
Speaking about the objectives of the event, Mathieu Ndongo Koni, Head of MONUSCO’s Child Protection Section, emphasized the importance of creating a platform where children could better understand their rights while also being made aware of the security and health challenges they face.
“We invited representatives from ten primary schools and two secondary schools, as well as members of the Children’s Parliament, in order to celebrate this day in a spirit of sharing and dialogue. It was also an opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of their rights, but also of Ebola Virus Disease, which poses a threat to eastern DRC. We also organized educational activities related to subjects they study in school,” said Mathieu Ndongo Koni.
He further stressed that the activity was taking place in a particularly challenging context for children in North Kivu, who are confronted with both security and public health threats.
“Today, health insecurity has been added to an already fragile security situation. We were already facing numerous risks linked to the presence of armed groups in the eastern part of the country, including the recruitment and use of children by armed groups, sexual violence, abductions, and other grave violations of children's rights. Now, a health threat has been added to these dangers. This is why we wanted to provide children with first-hand information by bringing in WHO experts to deliver awareness and prevention messages, enabling them to remain healthy both physically and mentally,” he added.
Ebola Prevention at the Heart of the Discussions
Students also received information on the prevention of Ebola Virus Disease, a severe and highly contagious illness that continues to pose a public health threat in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
During the event, Mr. Elvis Mukamba, a WHO expert, reviewed the key preventive measures, including regular handwashing, adherence to hygiene practices, and the prompt reporting of suspected cases. Students were also informed about the main symptoms of the disease, such as sudden fever, extreme fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding, in order to promote early detection and strengthen prevention efforts within their communities.
Beyond the awareness sessions, the day also served as an opportunity for dialogue between students, MONUSCO representatives, and partners involved in child protection.
Ketsia Babingwa, Vice-President of the Children’s Parliament in Goma, welcomed the initiative and encouraged children in Goma to remain resilient despite the many challenges posed by insecurity and health risks that continue to affect North Kivu.
“This activity has been extremely useful for children. We now know how to prevent Ebola Virus Disease by following preventive measures and proper hygiene practices. We have also strengthened our understanding of our rights and how to ensure they are respected. My appeal to the authorities and their partners is to continue working toward the restoration of peace. Because when there is peace, children can thrive, continue their education, grow with ambitions, and pursue their dreams without being limited by insecurity,” she said.
On 15 June, the day before the commemoration of the International Day of the African Child, sixty students from the Tunda School Complex, located in the Munigi grouping of Nyiragongo Territory (North Kivu), also benefited from an awareness session on children's rights, child protection, and Ebola prevention measures.
The activity was organized by the Association Sote kwa Umoja Maendeleo na Amani (SUMA ASBL) in partnership with MONUSCO, through its Child Protection Section, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the protection and well-being of children in a context marked by persistent security and public health challenges.
Aline KATALIKO
