More than 25 million people suffer from hunger in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

He World Food Program (WFP) urged this Tuesday to help millions of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where chronic violence and displacement continue to fuel a dramatic hunger crisis.

The figures from that body indicate that From March 2022 to date, some 5.7 million people have had to move to safety in the eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri.

The total uprooted is estimated at 6.2 million people across the country, the highest number recorded in Africa.

Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, WFP spokesman Tomson Phiri said that while the Democratic Republic of Congo is huge, millions of its people have no choice but to live in “overcrowded and miserable” camps, or with families already impoverished who welcome them.

Phiri added that displacement has generated food insecurity as people are evicted from their land and unable to grow food.

Difficulties for the distribution of assistance

He explained that as a result of the chaos due to some 120 non-state armed groups operating in the country, the WFP has great difficulties in bringing vital aid to vulnerable communities, detailing that must continually negotiate access to those points.

“Normally it takes one to four days to deliver food assistance in the area from Goma to Beni, cities 241 kilometers apart. However, it is currently taking us between three and four months to do it due to insecurity, ”he added.

The spokesperson recalled that humanitarian catastrophes are the result of forgotten emergencies.

The WFP warned that the latest projections suggest that 25.8 million people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will face acute food insecurity by 2023, the highest figure in the world.

The spokesman underlined the paradox of a country rich in natural resources in which a large part of its population suffers from hunger.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo produces precious metals needed in the most advanced technologies in the world.

climate crisis

Added to the increase in violence in the east of the country is the climate crisis, which continues to cost lives and livelihoods. At least 400 people died in disastrous floods in South Kivu last month and 3,000 homes were destroyed, prompting further displacement.

The WFP spokesperson stated that the Host communities also face the risk of hunger.

He also announced that the agency has increased assistance to reach 3.6 million people in the next six months.

On the other hand, he reported that so far this year, only 15% of the 870 million dollars needed for the humanitarian response has been obtained in the country and called on the donor community to act on it.

“We need investment in infrastructure and basic services, but the most important thing is that we need peace”, he stressed.