Kinshasa – 2.5m people have been pushed more people into sharp food insecurity as UN agencies tackle increasing needs
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) today announced that new data from the latest integrated food security stage classification (IPC) analysis reveal the highest ever recorded number of acute food volatile populations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
A surprising 28 million people in DRC are currently facing acute hunger (IPC phase 3 and above). This group includes 3.9 million people experiencing emergency levels of hunger (IPC phase 4).
Over the past six months, conflict, economic instability and surges in food prices have captivated people at DRC who risk millions.
The domestically displaced people who flee violence remain among the most vulnerable people who will bear the brunt of a growing food crisis. According to the latest analysis, more than 2 million displaced people have experienced acute hunger, with 738,000 surprising in emergency conditions (IPC Phase 4).
“The humanitarian situation at the DRC is getting worse at an incredible rate. Families who are already struggling to feed themselves now face even more harsh reality,” said Eric Perdison, WFP’s South Africa regional director and AD interim WFP DRC country director. “We have resumed our operations in parts of North and South Kibhu. We are committed to doing more to support people at risk, but we need more resources.”
A fatal combination of conflict, economic turmoil and high prices
This situation is particularly disastrous in the Eastern DRC states affected by the conflict. Over 10 million people face acute food anxiety (IPC phase 3 and above) including 2.3 million emergency conditions (IPC phase 4) in the eastern part of the country.
In Northern Kib, South Kib and Ituri, violence uprooted tens of thousands of people, separating them from food supply and humanitarian assistance. Armed conflicts continue to disrupt food production and trade routes, but humanitarian access remains limited.
The sharp depreciation of Congolese francs, closed banks, and lost income made it more difficult for families to afford staples. At the same time, inflation and disrupted supply chains are contributing to rising food prices. Basic foods such as corn flour, palm oil and cassava flour show price increases of up to 37% compared to pre-crisis levels (December 2024).
WFP and FAO recover to meet the needs of vulnerable groups
WFP and FAO are working together to provide life-saving food and nutritional aid while strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities.
This year, 464,000 people have received WFP foods, food cash and nutritional treatments in accessible areas of the Eastern DRC. WFP was able to reach 237,000 people on Bunia alone.
Beyond the eastern DRC emergency food aid, FAO and WFP are investing in North and South Kivu resilience activities to build skills and capabilities among communities to improve long-term food security.
“The current situation is disastrous for the population as harvests are lost, food prices are rising, millions of people are increasingly vulnerable as they face acute food insecurity.” “FAO needs more resources to provide emergency assistance to support the sustainable livelihoods of displaced groups. We aim to support 1.6 million people in North Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika with emergency food production support.”
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In 2025, WFP is expected to reach 6.4 million DRCs with food and nutritional supplements while investing in long-term solutions. US$399 million is urgently needed to maintain operations and meet growing humanitarian needs over the next six months.
WFP and FAO are calling on the international community to strengthen funding and humanitarian access to prevent serious catastrophes. Without urgent assistance, hunger levels will continue to rise, pushing the most vulnerable people into even more poverty.
Beware of the editor
Important numbers:
28 million people face acute food anxiety (IPC 3 or higher) nationwide. Of these, 10.3 million is in the eastern DRC (Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika).
Emergency (IPC 4) condition: 3.9 million people. Of these, 2.3 million are located in the eastern DRC.
