The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) issued an urgent appeal today for $540 million to provide food assistance to six million people displaced by conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
With violence intensifying and resources dwindling, the WFP has been forced to make difficult choices.
“We’ve had to undertake extreme prioritization,” admitted Natasha Nadazdin, WFP’s Deputy Country Director, “leaving millions vulnerable without food aid as needs continue to outpace available resources.”
This agonizing decision reflects the dire situation on the ground.
An ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, particularly in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, has plunged the region into chaos for nearly three decades.
The recent resurgence of the M23 rebel group in North Kivu has further exacerbated the crisis, displacing thousands and disrupting agricultural activities.
“As the conflict rages on, humanitarian needs continue to grow,” a UN agency statement declared.
“WFP urgently needs $397 million for the next six months to provide essential food and nutrition assistance to 1.5 million prioritized people in eastern DRC.”
This figure represents only a fraction of the total need, with the WFP requiring $543 million to maintain countrywide operations.
The gravity of the situation is echoed by the UN Office for Humanitarian Coordination (OCHA).
In September 2023, OCHA reported a funding gap of $1.5 billion for the DRC’s humanitarian response, with only $747 million received by mid-August.
