Ben Affleck: “In Congo, the numbers are still grim. With just 1% of the global population, Congo is responsible for over 6% of global under-five mortality. According to USAID, 148 out of 1000 DRC children will not reach five years. This is the 5th highest under-five mortality rate in the world. Thus, Congo faces daunting challenges and has to negotiate colossal hurdles to save these children and provide them a hopeful future.

These children’s lives are further endangered today as Congo’s North Kivu province is yet again grappling with a rebellion that has displaced an estimated 200,000 Congolese internally and outside the country. In this conflict, which has indirectly killed millions of people since 1998, women and children bear the brunt of the atrocities and human rights violations. Boys and girls are abducted to serve either as fighters or sex slaves. Families that survive the fighting often face hunger, malnutrition and diseases, which reduce children’s survival prospects and deny them the potential of a promising life.”