‘Wake-up call’ to assist DR Congo battle food insecurity 

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (wfp) warned that without help, widespread and unabated food insecurity could get worse in the coming months.

Some 27 million people, a quarter of the country’s population, face a state of crisis or emergency acute food insecurity caused by poor harvests, violence-induced displacement, disease and crumbling infrastructure, according to a newly published study. stated in the report. Integrated Food Safety Stage Classification (IPC) analysis for the Central African nation.

,The food situation remains hopeless for many in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with many different odds – insecurity, disease, devastation and lack of infrastructure, less access to quality inputs and finances to name but a few – against the prospect of being able to feed themselves and their families properly. gang formation”, said Aristide Ongon, DRC representative of the FAO.

Taking out a ‘leaky boat’

Congo has more numbers in times of acute food insecurity than any other country analyzed by the IPC.

New IPC report, which shows Capital Kinshasa also badly affected, the forecast alarming hunger numbers are likely to remain unchanged until the first half of next year.

In fact, the nutritional picture may be worse in some regions, and especially in vulnerable groups, including young children and pregnant or lactating mothers.

“These numbers are a wake-up call for more action and for doing things differently,” said Peter Mussoko, WFP DRC representative and country director.

“Immediately, It’s like we’re kicking out a dripping boat, We need to work together with the government, our partners and the private sector to figure out how to give hope to the people of this country.

toxic mixture

The DRC’s food crisis stems from a dangerous mix of factors, from violence and insecurity that has undermined agricultural production, collapsed transport and communication links, as well as several armed groups that have displaced millions – especially in the Northeast, where two particularly insecurities are on the rise. Hotspot.

even where food is available High prices and falling income mean that many people are unable to afford proper nutrition.,

And COVID-19 The U.S. has exacerbated the devastating effects of natural disasters, while measures to contain the pandemic have ravaged the economy – plunging the local currency and putting millions out of work, including in the informal sector.

From coronavirusAgricultural livelihoods have been severely affected by insecurity, limiting farmers’ access to markets, reducing production and damaging crops and livestock.

“The only way to break the cycle and change these trends is Help them increase their flexibility and productivity”, said Mr Ongon.

immediate, complex crisis

In order to fast-track an effective response to the scope, urgency and complexity of the crisis, the FAO has extended its support to those most vulnerable.

While the UN agency needs a total of $65 million to provide life-saving livelihood support to 1.1 million people in areas affected by extreme food insecurity, only $4.5 million is currently received.

FAO’s focus is on increasing households’ access to equipment and seeds; Providing livestock, which plays an important role in improving nutrition; supporting food processes and storage; and helping smallholder farmers fight animal and plant diseases.

range of support

Despite the extremely difficult operating environment, WFP aims to reach 8.7 million Congolese this year with food, nutrition and cash-based assistance – nearly two million more than in 2020; and feed 200,000 school children in the 2021-22 academic year and half a million children by 2024.

Support ranges from meeting the immediate food and nutritional needs of the most vulnerable to building long-term resilience for families.

In total, WFP needs $99 million by April 2022 to reach those most in need of support.