UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for the first time this week, as escalating violence and mass displacement in the eastern part of the country pushes the number of grave violations against children towards a peak.

“The staggering scale of the conflict in eastern DRC, the horrific level of violence, and its devastating impact on the children and women I met is heart-wrenching,” said Bloom. “No child should live in the dire conditions I witnessed in displacement camps—separated from their families, hungry, unable to go to school, and constantly at risk of sexual abuse, violence, and exploitation.”

Bloom’s five days in eastern DRC – which has been experiencing escalating violence and ongoing mass displacement since March 2022 – took him to Goma in North Kivu and Bukavu in South Kivu. He met with children and women and learned firsthand about the considerable risks they face daily, including abduction, rape and other forms of sexual violence and abuse, recruitment and use by armed groups, and death.

The United Nations has verified over 1,000 grave violations against children in the three eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu during the first quarter of this year. This represents a 30 per cent increase compared to the last quarter of 2023, with recruitment and use of children being most prevalent. In April 2024 alone, more than 450 grave violations against children were verified in the east. 

“It’s a heartbreaking reality that children caught up in the conflict face abduction, recruitment and use by armed groups, violence and abuse – and we know the reports we have are only the tip of the iceberg,” said UNICEF DRC Representative Grant Leaity. “UNICEF calls on all parties to this conflict to work toward negotiation and solution for peace and an end to the grave violations against children, and for the perpetrators of violence against children and women to be held accountable.”

During his trip, Bloom visited a UNICEF-supported child-friendly space in the Bushagara displacement site near Goma; a safe environment where children can engage in structured and supervised play and recreation and receive psychosocial support and individual case management. At these sites, social workers also identify vulnerable children, such as those separated from their families, and ensure they receive the care and protection services they need.

Over the last year, for example, UNICEF has reunified more than 9,000 children in eastern DRC with their families or placed them with temporary foster care families and assisted more than 400,000 children, adolescents, and caregivers with mental health and psychosocial support.

“At the child-friendly space, I met very young children who have been separated from their families for more than two years due to displacement. They told me that they live in fear as the conflict unfolds around them and the violence grows closer,” said Bloom. “Yet, in these UNICEF-supported spaces, I saw hope as girls and boys found a place where they felt safe, where they could receive psychosocial support, dance and play, and enjoy being children. More spaces like these are necessary to protect their childhoods.”

Gender and conflict-based sexual violence against women and children remained persistently high in 2023 and increased further in 2024, with stigma and fear of retaliation preventing many survivors from coming forward. During a visit to Panzi Hospital and Panzi Foundation in South Kivu, Bloom spoke with health staff and caregivers about their work and met with survivors of sexual violence.

“The stories shared by girls and women who have survived harrowing sexual violence are utterly devastating,” said Bloom. “But, amidst the pain, I can see the difference that compassionate and dedicated support can make. Support, including healthcare, psychological support, and legal assistance, is helping survivors find the strength to rebuild their lives, but more needs to be done to protect every girl and woman.”

In eastern DRC, around 5 million people, including 2.8 million children, urgently need humanitarian assistance as a result of escalating violence and displacement. In response, UNICEF is providing education, health, including mental health and psychosocial support, nutrition, water and sanitation, and protection assistance to children, women, and families affected by the conflict. However, UNICEF’s humanitarian appeal for US$804.3 million is only 10 per cent funded.

“Every day, children and women in DRC’s displacement camps face tremendous hardships. Their needs are overwhelming, and the response to the crisis is falling short. We must urgently unite to ensure they live in safety and dignity,” said Bloom.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

In accordance with the existing Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Government of the Republic of Uganda concerning Loans from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund, signed on April 13, 2012, the Ugandan Minister of Finance Hon. Matia Kasaija, together with the Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Cho Tae-yul, have, today 5th June 2024, signed the Framework Agreement for a $500m loan from Korea EXIM Bank.

The ceremony took place at the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul on the sidelines of the First Korea-Africa Summit which concluded today. Under the terms of the Framework Agreement, the Korean Government shall enable the Ugandan Government to obtain loans from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) up to a maximum commitment amount in Korean Won not exceeding the equivalent of Five Hundred Million US dollars (US$ 500,000,000) for the years 2024 through 2028 to finance EDCF loan projects in the Republic of Uganda. Hon. Kasaija was accompanied by Amb. Elly Kamahungye Kafeero, Director for Regional and International Cooperation and Ms. Lenina M. Rukikaire, First Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Republic of Uganda – Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan, sent a message of congratulations to Prime Minister of the Republic of India, H.E. Shri Narendra Modi for securing a third consecutive term in the 2024 elections

In his message, President Ramkalawan, stated:

“On behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Seychelles, as well as on my own behalf, I extend our warmest congratulations on your re-election as the Prime Minister of the Republic of India.

This outcome is a testament to the confidence that the Indian people place in your visionary leadership and the remarkable progress that India has made under your stewardship, as well as the high regard in which you are held.

The special relationship between Seychelles and India has strengthened over the years, with our two nations working ever more closely on a range of issues of mutual interest and concern. India’s role as a key development partner and strategic ally for Seychelles has been invaluable. Our joint undertakings have been marked by robust cooperation in various sectors of shared interest including the military, health, education, infrastructure development, amongst others. Our collaboration in maritime security has been pivotal in ensuring the safety and stability of the Indian Ocean region. In addition, through our collective efforts in enhancing collaboration in cultural exchanges and human resource development, we have been able to foster mutual respect and better understanding between the people of our two countries.

I am confident that during your third term in office, our bilateral ties will continue to strengthen and expand. In this regard, I reaffirm my unwavering commitment to working closely with you and your government to bolster our bilateral relations and address the multiple global and regional challenges that confront us.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tourism – Foreign Affairs Department, Republic of Seychelles.

On June 4, 2024 a Joint Communiqué on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Kingdom of Eswatini was signed in Pretoria by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of South Africa, Igor Bely, and the High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Eswatini to the Republic of South Africa, Lindiwe Kunene. 

This event paves way to opportunities for the development of the entire range of relations between both nations in political dialogue, promotion of trade and economic cooperation, creating ties in the fields of education, healthcare, science and technologies, cultural exchange.

In certain areas of cooperation work between two countries is already underway. There is a mutual interest in providing a legal framework for the relations between Belarus and Eswatini.

The Heads of the Diplomatic Missions discussed further practical steps in the development of bilateral cooperation. 

For a long time Eswatini has remained on a very short list of countries which do not have diplomatic relations with Belarus. Changes in the international and regional situation, as well as the Belarusian diplomacy’s active promotion of the idea of a mutually beneficial cooperation between African partners and our nation, amid neocolonial approaches of some international powers, have been convincing an increasing number of African leaders of the prospects of developing stronger relations with Belarus. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus.