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Add to Preferred SourcesThe country joined the international community to celebrate World Food Day, a day that highlights the millions of people worldwide who cannot afford a healthy diet and the need for regular access to nutritious food. The theme for 2022 was Leave NO ONE behind.
This commemoration presents an opportunity to highlight the plight of millions of the most vulnerable communities in DRC affected by the Global Hunger Crisis. An increase in conflict, displacement, persistent drought, and water scarcity is threatening lives and driving a massive humanitarian crisis in DRC.
In DRC, 25.9 million people are food insecure and require urgent intervention and 25% of these require urgent intervention. A total of 5.4 million (5% of the population assessed) are in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) according to the World Food Program.
Nearly 64 % of Congolese, just under 60 million people, lived on less than $2.15 a day according to the World Bank.
Impact of food hikes on poor communities
Despite the marginal increase in the cost of the food basket from 25,511 CDF ($12) to 26,004 CDF ($13) between July and August 2022, the findings in the communities the organization serve indicate that food prices have more than trebled placing children at increased risk of death.
“Most of the poor communities are still grappling with the triple crisis of COVID-19, conflict, and climate change. If we act now, we can prevent children from dying, but time is running out. The most vulnerable communities are facing the brunt of the global hunger crisis – the plight of millions of children is heart-breaking and is further exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. In the health centers and camps for Internally Displaced People, the number of children with malnutrition has increased,” said Aline Napon World Vision DRC National Director.
Globally 345 million children and families are acutely hungry and struggling to get enough to eat. Hunger is widespread, but children living in a conflict zone such as the east DRC are two times more likely to be malnourished.
World Vision’s response to the DRC hunger crisis reached at least 1 366 512 1million people, more than half of whom are children (393 086 girls and 293 467 boys), in 10 provinces of urgent concern through programs valued at US$40 million. The work includes cash and voucher assistance, food distribution, prevention and treatment of child malnutrition, school meals, livelihood support, and psychosocial support.