Renewed fighting in the eastern provinces has forced nearly one million people to flee their homes this year, swelling already overcrowded displacement camps in Goma.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is struggling to keep pace with the growing need. While they’ve tripled food assistance, reaching 1.3 million people compared to 400,000 in May 2023, a funding shortfall threatens to halt these critical operations.
WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain, recently visited Goma and witnessed the dire conditions firsthand. “Tens of thousands of new shelters are popping up daily,” she said. “Displaced people desperately need food, clean water, and sanitation.”
The crisis is particularly devastating for women and girls. Crammed living conditions and the search for basic necessities like firewood expose them to a heightened risk of sexual violence. WFP emphasizes providing food assistance directly to women, who often manage family meals, and supporting income-generating activities to bolster their safety and well-being.
An estimated 23.4 million Congolese, a quarter of the population, face severe hunger. WFP urgently needs $425 million for the next six months to continue assisting those most affected in the east. A total of $548.5 million is required for full-scale operations across the country.
Without immediate action from donors and partners, the situation in the DRC could spiral further out of control, leaving millions on the verge of starvation.
APA/ABJ