Over 1.1 million children aged 6 to 59 months and approximately 605,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women (PBW) are facing/expected to face elevated levels of acute malnutrition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo between July 2023 and June 2024. This includes approximately 254,000 children who are severely malnourished. This analysis is only a partial coverage (122 health zones out of 519 were analysed) of the country which gives an idea of the severity of acute malnutrition in the most affected health zones in the DRC.

In the current period (July to December 2023), 31 health zones are in IPC AMN Phase 3 (Serious) and 6 are in IPC AMN Phase 4 (Critical). In the projection period of January to June 2024, the situation is expected to deteriorate, with 9 health zones in Phase 4 and 40 in Phase 3. 

For health zones classified in IPC AMN Phase 3 or Phase 4, the main causes of acute malnutrition are low food quality due to poor child feeding practices (IYCF), acute food insecurity, high levels of childhood illnesses (fever and diarrhea), poor hygiene conditions (inaccessibility to adequate sanitation facilities), very low access to drinking water and the negative effects of the security situation which lead to massive displacements of population. 

• Strengthen nutritional surveillance through the systematic integration of screening for acute malnutrition at the level of health structures and at community level. 
• Ensure the continuum of care for the management of acute malnutrition (PCIMA: SAM/MAM) in the area concerned in order to reduce the rate of morbidity and mortality linked to malnutrition. 
• Put into practice free primary health care (PHC) for children under 5 years old and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Strengthen routine vaccination, vitamin A supplementation and deworming activities in children under 5 years old.
• Intensify sanitation campaigns in public areas and raise awareness among the population about good hygiene practices.