Thousands of separated and displaced children in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are at extreme risk of sexual violence, including rape, or of being kidnapped and recruited into armed militias.
In the face of the growing crisis, Save the Children is increasing its child protection work in the region.
There are now almost a million displaced people living in North Kivu province after the recent upsurge of violence between the M23 rebel army and government forces.
Read the stories of some of the children affected below.
Many of those displaced live in sprawling camps, and have no idea what has happened to their loved ones.
Our teams are helping to identify some of the thousands of youngsters separated from their families, working with partner organisations to start the process of tracking down their parents.
Lillian's story
Lillian, 14, found herself alone as she returned from school one day, only to discover that an armed group had occupied her village.
“I went home but my mum and brothers and sisters had fled. Some soldiers raped four girls – they were my friends.
"I saw it happen. I was so scared and just ran away. I heard that two of the girls died from the attack,” she said.
“I didn’t know what to do, so I followed the villagers who were fleeing in the same direction. I didn’t have any clothes or money to pay for any transport or food.
"We then arrived at a camp where I stayed for four months but had to move again in November because the fighting got nearer.
"I walked here to Goma, it took me six hours. I walked through the bush and I was very scared – I knew it wasn’t safe.”
Beatrice's story
14 year-old Beatrice is one of them the thousands seperated from her family.
“I was at home with my little sister. We heard the gunfire and we saw soldiers coming into the village, everyone fled,” she said.
“I felt awful, I didn’t know where my mum was and we were all on our own. My sister and I just followed everyone else, we all ran into the forest. It took a whole day of walking.
"My little sister cried the whole time – she kept calling for our mum.”
In areas particularly badly affected by the conflict, Save the Children has identified 923 separated or unaccompanied children, raising fears that there are thousands more in settlements across North Kivu.
Anicet's story
Anicet, 10 years-old, is one of the luckier ones – his parents have been traced.
He was separated from his parents during a firefight in North Kivu earlier this year. “I remember the day we were separated – I heard gunfire and was very scared. I thought my parents had died,” he said.
“We lived on our own for many months this year and survived from the help of kind people and neighbours.”
Reunited
Save the Children’s local partner managed to trace his parents, and arranged for them to be reunited.
“One month ago I heard the news that they might have found my parents,” Anicet said. “I am so happy to meet my father again.
"Please carry on doing your work to help other children find their parents.”