KSQF and UNICEF launch child labour initiative in Congo to remove children from mines, support families and restore access to education.
SHARJAH: The Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi Humanitarian Foundation (KSQF) has partnered with UNICEF to launch a major programme aimed at tackling child exploitation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Announced ahead of World Day Against Child Labour on June 12, the initiative seeks to remove vulnerable children from informal mining activities while creating long-term systems that prevent future exploitation.
The child labour initiative in Congo will focus on Haut Katanga province, where children working in informal mines face daily exposure to dangerous conditions, including toxic dust, hazardous machinery and the risk of injury. Many earn as little as $1 to $3 a day, often contributing to household survival at the expense of their education and wellbeing.
The programme is expected to directly support more than 200 children and 100 households. Children withdrawn from mining activities will receive access to education, vocational training and child protection services. Families will benefit from monthly cash transfers, financial literacy programmes and livelihood support designed to reduce economic pressures that often drive child labour.
Lujan Mourad, Director of KSQF, described child labour in mining as one of the most serious humanitarian challenges facing vulnerable communities. She said the initiative aims to protect children, strengthen families and build sustainable systems that meet international child protection standards.
The child labour initiative in Congo builds on UNICEF’s proven TPS+ model, which successfully helped more than 1,000 children leave mining work in 2024. According to UNICEF, hundreds of those children returned to school, while others entered vocational training programmes, with none returning to mining activities.
The partnership will also strengthen local child protection systems by training social workers, teachers and service providers. Public awareness campaigns and youth advocacy programmes will further support efforts to prevent exploitation.
Through the child labour initiative in Congo, KSQF and UNICEF aim to create a sustainable model that can be replicated across mining regions, helping children access education, safety and opportunities for a better future.
