‘Child Witches’, Child Soldiers, Child Poverty and Violence: Street Children in Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Summary

In June 2005 the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Street Children received a report from the UK charity War Child. The report presented findings from War Child’s work that illustrated the on-going effects of conflict in the lives of children long after conflict had ended. In particular, it described how the consequences of war unraveled the social fabric that children depend upon for protection, care and support, and how this plays a significant part in their being driven to work and live on the streets. The APPG found that unemployment and lack of income generating opportunities have stretched the capacities of households to function as viable economic units.  The recommendations put forward in this report are based on the APPG’s position that the UK Government has significant influence and responsibility because of the scale of commitment it is making to the people of the DRC on behalf of the British public.