Highlights: DRC: study reveals that 40% of Congolese face food insecurity. This year, around 40 million… . DRC:Study reveals that40% ofCongolese faces food insecurity The World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) presented alarming new figures in Kinshasa on Tuesday. The report points to persistent conflicts and armed violence, particularly in the east of the country, as factors contributing to this food crisis. Low agricultural production, as well as monetary depreciation against the American currency - the dollar - are contributing to the collapse of household purchasing power.

The World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) presented alarming new figures in Kinshasa on Tuesday. This year, around 40 million…

DRC: study reveals that 40% of Congolese face food insecurity

The World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) presented alarming new figures in Kinshasa on Tuesday.

This year, approximately 40 million people, or 40% of the Congolese population, face moderate to severe food insecurity.

A worrying situation which, say United Nations agencies, calls for urgent action.

Displaced Congolese search for and prepare food in a refugee camp in Kanyaruchinya, DRC, in December 2022. (Illustrative image).

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Kinshasa,

Patient Ligodi

As highlighted by WFP and FAO figures presented on Tuesday March 5 in Kinshasa,

in the Democratic Republic of Congo

, among those in need of most urgent intervention are around 16 million Congolese who are in a situation of severe chronic food insecurity.

The analysis, which covered 90 urban areas, reveals that only the city-province of Kinshasa escapes this alarming trend.

It is classified as “

mild

food insecure

”, with nearly 12 million people, or 85% of its population, affected.

The report points to persistent

conflicts and armed violence

, particularly in the east of the country, as factors significantly contributing to this food crisis.

Diseases, such as human epidemics or those transmitted by animals, as well as invasions against crops, also worsen the situation.

Fall in purchasing power of Congolese households

These multifaceted crises

disrupt food systems

, with consequences on agricultural production and means of subsistence.

In addition, low agricultural production, as well as monetary depreciation against the American currency - the dollar - are contributing to the collapse of household purchasing power, in a context of widespread poverty.

On February 20, the UN, the Congolese government and the humanitarian community jointly launched an appeal for the mobilization of 2.6 billion dollars to finance the humanitarian response plan for the year 2024.

DRC: study reveals that 40% of Congolese face food insecurity

DRC: study reveals that 40% of Congolese face food insecurity

Fall in purchasing power of Congolese households

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