Democratic Republic of Congo, the war brings hunger there too: basic food is missing in North Kivu

KINSHASA-MILANO – The escalation of the conflict in the province of North Kivu, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is pushing the population towards the imminent risk of a food crisis of uncontrollable proportions. The NGO Action against Hunger urges members of the United Nations Security Council to ensure that the hunger crisis does not worsen and put more human lives at risk, calling for compliance with resolution 2417, which recognized the link between wars and hunger, through commitment with the parties to the conflict to facilitate humanitarian access and compliance with International Humanitarian Law.

The humanitarian situation. Since January 2024, the escalation of fighting in North Kivu is characterized by the indiscriminate attack on civilians and civilian infrastructure, the militarization of camps for displaced people and the restriction of movements on main supply routes for the free passage of food, essential goods and help. In February alone, over 240,000 people fled to the city of Goma, bringing the number of displaced people to over 600,000 in camps and informal sites around the city, in need of immediate and life-saving humanitarian aid. Families fleeing the conflict arrive hungry and in tragic health conditions.

There are 4 times more children under 5 years of age who are undernourished since last November. “Since the resurgence of the conflict – explains Florian Monnerie, director of Action against Hunger in the DRC – the nutritional situation of the children who come to us in Lushagala camps 1 and 2 has worsened, and the number of severely malnourished children under 5 admitted has multiplied fourfold since November 2023. In February, Action against Hunger received up to 10 new cases per day of children in conditions of severe acute malnutrition.”

In all of North Kivu 2.4 million displaced people. Outside of Goma and across North Kivu, where there are over 2.4 million displaced people, the situation remains alarming. Civilians are continually forced to flee fighting, for days, weeks or months, leaving them with little opportunity to grow or purchase food. The fighting and induced blockades also prevent humanitarian organizations from providing much-needed aid.

Three weeks of closure for the NGO. Action against Hunger had to stop its activities in the Mweso health zone, Masisi territory, for three weeks due to intense fighting in the area. Due to limited humanitarian access, families and communities have been left without assistance or protection, further exacerbating the risk of a major food crisis. So here is the appeal: “Together with other humanitarian organizations we read in a note from Action Against Hunger – we demand the cessation of hostilities and respect for International Humanitarian Law, allowing the protection of the civilian population and the safe delivery of neutral and impartial aid to those most in need”

The work of Action Against Hunger in the DRC. The NGO – which has an Italian branch of a broader international network, born in France and today a leader in the fight against hunger and malnutrition in 51 countries, with around 8,500 operators globally and a direct impact on over 17 million people in need – remains committed to providing life-saving assistance, including nutrition and medical care, water, hygiene, sanitation and psychosocial support. It has been operating in the DRC since 1997 and has programs throughout North Kivu.