UN Sounds Alarm Over Rising Hunger Crisis in Eastern DR Congo

The United Nations has issued a dire warning about the worsening hunger crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where decades of conflict, displacement, and economic instability have pushed millions to the brink of famine. According to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), nearly 27 million people—a quarter of the country’s population—are now facing severe food insecurity, with eastern provinces like North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri bearing the brunt of the crisis.

Escalating Conflict and Mass Displacement

Eastern DRC remains a hotspot of violence, with over 120 armed groups vying for control of the region’s mineral wealth. Recent clashes between the Congolese military (FARDC), M23 rebels, and other militias have displaced more than 1.5 million people in 2024 alone, worsening an already dire humanitarian emergency. Displaced families often end up in overcrowded camps with little access to food, clean water, or medical care.

“The situation is catastrophic,” a WFP spokesperson said. “Families are eating leaves or boiling weeds just to survive. Children are showing signs of acute malnutrition at alarming rates.”

Collapsing Food Systems and Soaring Prices

The conflict has devastated agriculture—the primary livelihood for most in the region. Farmers have abandoned fields due to violence, while road blockades disrupt supply chains, causing food prices to surge. In Goma, the price of maize flour has doubled in a year, making basic meals unaffordable for many.

Climate shocks, including droughts and erratic rainfall, have further slashed crop yields. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports a 40% drop in food production compared to pre-conflict levels.

Malnutrition and Disease Outbreaks

The hunger crisis has triggered a health disaster:

• 3.4 million children under five are acutely malnourished.
• 1 million suffer from severe acute malnutrition—the deadliest form.
• Cholera and measles are spreading rapidly in overcrowded displacement camps.

“Children are dying from preventable causes because their bodies are too weak,” said a doctor at a UNICEF-supported clinic in Bunia.

Insufficient Humanitarian Response

Despite urgent appeals, international aid remains critically underfunded:

• WFP’s DRC operations are only 30% funded, forcing ration cuts.
• The UN’s 2024 humanitarian plan seeks $2.6 billion but has received less than 20%.

“Without urgent funding, we risk losing an entire generation,” warned UN Humanitarian Coordinator Bruno Lemarquis.

Aid delivery is also hindered by attacks on convoys and roadblocks set up by armed groups.

Urgent Calls for Action

The UN is urging:
1. Increased funding for food aid and malnutrition treatment.
2. Stronger peacekeeping to protect civilians and ensure aid access.
3. Long-term investments in climate-resilient farming and economic recovery.

Regional bodies like the African Union are pushing for peace talks, but ceasefires remain fragile. Without a political solution, experts warn the crisis will deepen.

Conclusion: A Race Against Time

For eastern DRC, every day without aid costs lives. As one displaced mother in Goma said: “We are not just hungry—we are forgotten.” The world must act now.

— Reporting by NextMinuteNews with inputs from UN agencies and local sources.