In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), more than 28 million people encountered an acute lack of food. This is stated in the analysis of the food and agricultural organization (FAO) and the UN World Food Program (VPP).
According to data, the number of people who have found themselves in the crisis level of hunger over the past months increased by 2.5 million people, reaching a historical maximum. Of these, almost 3.9 million people are on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe.
It is noted that the causes of aggravation of the situation have become a protracted armed conflict, the economic crisis and the increase in food prices.
A particularly difficult situation has developed in the eastern provinces of the country, such as Northern and Southern Kiva, Ituri and Tangagnika.
“The humanitarian situation in the DR Congo deteriorates at the frightening speed. Family, which used to have hard to provide themselves with food, have now encountered even more severe reality,” said Eric Perdison, regional director of the runway in South Africa.
According to agencies, more than 10 million people in the eastern provinces suffer from a lack of food at a crisis or extreme level.
The supply of humans is limited not only by an unsafe environment, but also by the economic crisis.
According to the UN, the cost of the main foods – corn flour, palm oil – for the last three months has increased by 37 percent.
“The situation is extremely difficult: the crop is destroyed, prices are growing rapidly, and millions of people are becoming more vulnerable,” Auslegi, who acted as a representative of the FAO in the Congo.
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According to him, without additional financing, it will be impossible to save the rural population from hunger.
The UN already provides emergency assistance. Since the beginning of 2025, 464 thousand people were covered with food, cash payments and treatment from malnutrition, including 237 thousand in the city of Bunia.
In addition, it is emphasized that to continue assistance within the next six months of the runway requires at least $ 399 million. The UN calls on the international community immediately increase humanitarian financing.
“Without urgent support, the level of hunger will continue to grow, and the situation can develop into a full-scale disaster,” agencies warn.