In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the 14th cycle of IPC acute food insecurity analysis covered 136 territories, 94% of the national territory.

Four areas are of major concern: 

1. Areas heavily affected by armed conflict in the east of the country causing population displacement, incursion of foreign and national armed groups;
2. Areas affected by climatic and natural events such as floods due to the El Nino; these include areas where crops were decimated by rainwater and those affected by locusts, other plant pests and bush fires. Epidemics are recurrent and access to drinking water is very low;
3. Main Areas of Burundian, Central Africa and South Sudanese refugees and other displaced groups which increases the pressure on the livelihoods of indigenous peoples; and
4. Areas facing chronic food insecurity due to inadequate diet and affected by structural impediments to food security.

In total, it is estimated that 5.9 million people are in food crisis and accelerated depletion of livelihood assets (phases 3 and 4) in areas that have been classified. 

Recommendations for response

The intervention strategy will be based on the following axes: contribute to improving and establishing information systems on food security by ensuring the dissemination of information.

• Reach vulnerable populations and communities whose food and nutrition security has suffered the negative effects of shocks through the actions of general/targeted distribution of food products, including fortified food, cash and vouchers, school feeding and specialized nutritional products: Phase 4 in Punia (Babira Bakwame sector, Kasese - Kyolo health area); Walikale (ZS Pinga, areas of Health Buleusa, Kanune, Rusamambo and Bukumbirwa); Beni (ZS Oicha and Kamango, health areas Mamove, Eringeti, May Moya and Samboko); Irumu (southern part of the territory)
• Protect, restore and strengthen food security, nutrition and sustainable livelihoods of farmers, including small-scale farmers and fishermen, by making the beneficiaries more autonomous, helping communities affected by the crisis to depend less on direct food aid and thus facilitate the path to early recovery. Actions to supply seeds and other agricultural inputs by direct distribution and systems based on the distribution of vouchers. The multiplication of seeds and planting material and support for market gardening initiatives in homes/schools, providing inputs and organizing training on market gardening and nutrition.