from JEAN KASSONGO in Kinshasa, DRC
DRC Bureau
KINSHASA, (CAJ News) – ACUTE food insecurity remains at a critical level, and cases of emergency hunger are intensifying in the conflict-ridden areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have issued a warning about the alarming worsening humanitarian crisis in the eastern DRC.
According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, 26,6 million people nationwide are projected to face crisis or worse levels of food insecurity by early 2026, including 3,9 million experiencing emergency hunger.
These figures represent an increase from the current data of 24,8 million and 3,2 million, respectively.
The food crisis is particularly acute in the conflict-affected eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika.
Ongoing violence, population displacement, and limited humanitarian access continue to exacerbate food insecurity in these areas.
By January 2026, more than 10 million people in these four provinces—approximately one-third of the local population—are projected to be facing crisis levels or worse, struggling daily to meet their basic food needs.
Among them, 3 million are already experiencing emergency hunger, representing 75 percent of all people in this situation nationwide, an increase of 700 000 since March 2025.
“Emergency agricultural assistance is one of the most cost-effective ways to address immediate humanitarian needs,” said Athman Mravili, FAO acting representative in the DRC.
Cynthia Jones, acting country director and WFP Representative in the DRC, said they were working tirelessly with the government and the humanitarian community despite reduced resources for this neglected crisis.
She said the latest IPC data is unequivocal: the food crisis in eastern DRC is worsening.
“Without resources and urgent action, millions of lives are at risk and regional stability will be jeopardised. We must act now – before the cost becomes irreversible,” Jones said.
– CAJ News