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GOMA. — A total of 76 former child soldiers who had been enrolled by armed groups have reunited with their close family members in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the second half of 2013.The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on that it had supported the reunification of former child soldiers with their families in both South Kivu and North Kivu.

During the same period, ICRC also visited over 120 former child soldiers who reunited with their families to ensure that they had been well integrated into their communities.

Annick Bouvier, a communication officer for ICRC in DR Congo, said the organisation was holding talks with armed groups to help save the children serving in their ranks.

“Despite our message, the recruitment of children by the armed groups still remains a phenomenon that we witness in DRC,” she said, noting that there is still much work to do.

“The ultimate goal of our efforts is to ensure that the International Humanitarian Law is respected in eastern DR C,” she said.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has expressed concern that children remain the most vulnerable group during the armed conflict period in DRC.

Despite the expected protection from the law, the children continue to be recruited by armed forces or rebel groups in eastern parts of the country. — Xinhua.