What You Need to Know
The World Food Programme has raised alarms over a severe food crisis in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, where violence from armed groups has displaced tens of thousands. With families facing extreme food insecurity, the UN agency is expanding its operations to assist over 210,000 displaced individuals, stressing the urgent need for funding to avert a worsening humanitarian disaster.
Africa. The World Food Programme, part of the United Nations, has warned that tens of thousands of displaced individuals in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, are nearing “complete food despair” as violence escalates following a new attack by M23 militants that reignited fighting in early December.
The programme announced it is expanding its operations to provide assistance to over 210,000 people displaced by the conflict, warning that the food crisis could rapidly worsen without urgent action.
Cynthia Jones, the programme director in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, stated, “Host families themselves are experiencing emergency levels of food insecurity, sharing their last food supplies with their displaced neighbors, pushing everyone toward despair.”
Deprivation of Essential Services
Since the outbreak of violence in South Kivu, health facilities have been looted, and medicines are unavailable, while schools have closed, depriving local communities of safe water, medical care, and livelihoods.
According to programme data, over 391,000 children are now out of school. The crisis has also forced many to flee to neighboring countries in search of food and shelter, with support being provided to 71,000 new arrivals in Burundi and another thousand in Rwanda with hot meals.
The World Food Programme is attempting to reach the most vulnerable families, displaced individuals, and host communities in South Kivu through a “survival package” that includes grains, legumes, vegetable oil, and iodized salt, along with specialized foods to prevent malnutrition among children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
However, the UN agency has stressed its urgent need for $67 million to cover assistance for three months for the displaced and $350 million to ensure the continuation of its programs nationwide.
Jones stated, “Without urgent support and additional funding, we will not be able to respond to a crisis that stands on the brink of a hunger disaster.”
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has faced ongoing conflict and instability for decades, particularly in the eastern regions like South Kivu. Armed groups, including the M23, have exacerbated the humanitarian situation, leading to widespread displacement and food insecurity. The World Food Programme has been actively involved in providing assistance, but the scale of the crisis continues to grow, necessitating urgent international support.
