Between July and December 2023, approximately 25.4 million people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, classified in IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse). This includes around 3 percent of people (around 3.5 million people) classified in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and 20 percent (around 21.8 million people) in Phase 3 (Crisis). The most affected populations are mainly displaced people, returnees, host families and populations living in conflict zones or affected by natural disasters. The persistence of socio-political conflicts continues to disrupt the agricultural activities of households – impacting their livelihoods. The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in the country is more than 6.3 million, including 677,000 newly displaced people since the start of 2023.

The provinces with the highest population numbers in Phase 3 and above include: North-Kivu (2,6 M), city of Kinshasa (2,1 M), Kasaï Central (1,6 M), South-Kivu (1,5 M), Kwilu (1,5 M), Ituri (1,3 M), Congo Central (1,4 M), Tanganyika (1,4 M), Kasaï Oriental (1,1 M) and Kasaï (1,1 M). In the projected period of January to June 2024, 23.4 million people (22 percent of the population analysed) are likely to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phases 3 or above). Further population displacement, caused by armed conflict, is likely to occur – primarily in the eastern provinces of the country.

Ending violence and conflict: Support efforts to restore peace and security to prevent any resurgence of conflict and enable households to access their livelihood. Support in reconstituting capital productive of households (including agricultural recovery in favour of returned populations).

Humanitarian assistance: Mobilize additional capacities and resources to scale up emergency food assistance responses in the territories affected by conflicts in support of populations in IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and Phase 4 (Emergency) to improve their food consumption.

Facilitate humanitarian access in conflict zones: In order to secure humanitarian workers, negotiate access agreements with parties in conflict, and establish humanitarian corridors to provide essential assistance to vulnerable populations.

Support a food price control mechanism: To cope with the volatility of food prices, it is essential to establish a control mechanism through the organization and deployment of the national strategic reserve throughout the territory with the aim of facilitating access to populations most vulnerable to food insecurity.