Overview of Acute Food Insecurity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Approximately 26.4 million people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are experiencing high levels of Acute Food Insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above). The causes are widespread poverty, conflict and displacement as well as low agricultural production, high food prices and a lack of basic infrastructure. The latest analyses conducted by the IPC partners indicate that, out of these 26.4 million people, 22.6 are classified in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and 3.8 million are in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) for the period of July to December 2022. The food insecurity rate remains similar to the previous analysis with over 26% of the population affected.

Of the 185 areas analyzed, 124 are in Crisis (IPC Phase 3). 138 of the areas are rural and 47 are urban (including municipalities in the capital city of Kinshasa). In urban areas, more than 6 million people are identified as highly food insecure (IPC Phase 3 or above), representing 21% of the population living in these areas.

The DRC has the largest number of food insecure people in the world, resulting from a combination of factors including conflict, increased food prices and transportation costs, as well as the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics. The country's protracted food crisis is compounded by one of the world's longest-running armed conflicts with armed forces associated with foreign forces that continue to fight intensely in the eastern territories.

Analysis of the projections for January – June 2023 indicates a slight decrease (compared to July – December 2022), with 24.5 million people in 107 areas likely to be in IPC Phase 3, Crisis or higher. Acute food insecurity is also likely to remain high in North Kivu and Ituri, as these areas are home to large numbers of people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4), as a result of the continuation of conflict and its impact on the civilian population. At the national level, the food insecurity situation will be exacerbated by a sharp increase in fuel prices and food in general – directly related to the war in Ukraine as well as poor infrastructure and more structural factors.

Recommendations for Acute Food Insecurity

• Livelihood support: The livelihoods of households in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Emergency (IPC Phase 4) should be supported by strengthening the access of agricultural households to inputs and their technical capacities. Livestock breeders and farmers should be supported in the fight against epizootics and plant diseases through the supply of animal and plant health products. The sustainable agricultural policy validated in July 2022 must be made operational, given that one of its objectives is to fight food insecurity.
• Investing in infrastructure: In order to promote trade, the flow of products, the movement of people and humanitarian aid, it is recommended that a strategic food reserve be set up and that agricultural feeder roads be rehabilitated, thus reducing transport costs and facilitating household access to food.
• Vital humanitarian aid: Immediate and urgent humanitarian action is needed for highly food insecure populations (IPC Phase 3 or higher) to save lives, reduce food deficits, and protect people's livelihoods. It is also important to mobilise actors to scale up social safety nets and develop social protection programs.
• Ending inter-community violence and conflict: Since conflict is a contributing factor to food insecurity, stakeholders should take all necessary measures at all relevant levels to end violence and protect civilians in the east of the country in order to prevent any resurgence of conflict.