Between September and December 2026, an estimated 28.8 million people (23 percent of the analysed population) are facing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including 3.6 million people in Emergency (IPC Phase 4). The northeastern and eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri remain the hardest hit, with 10.4 million people classified in Phase 3 or above. Within these provinces, the territories of Djugu, Fizi, Shabunda and Walungu are classified in Phase 4. 

The January–June 2027 projection indicates a further deterioration, with 30.3 million people expected to face Phase 3 or above, including 4.2 million people likely to experience Emergency (Phase 4) outcomes. Compared with the current period, this represents an increase of nearly 1.5 million people in Phase 3 or above and approximately 600,000 additional people in Phase 4. The deterioration reflects the combined effects of continued conflict and displacement, the spread of Ebola, climate shocks including anticipated El Niño-related flooding, rising food and fuel prices, and declining humanitarian assistance. 

• End violence and conflict: Restore peace and security in eastern DRC, protect civilians, and prevent further displacement by strengthening efforts to address ongoing conflict and insecurity, particularly in North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika.
• Humanitarian assistance: Mobilise funding to scale up life-saving assistance for populations in Phase 3 or above, particularly IDPs and overstretched host households, while ensuring humanitarian access to conflict-affected and hard-to-reach areas through secure corridors.
• Food security and livelihoods: Strengthen price monitoring and support livelihood recovery through agricultural inputs, infrastructure rehabilitation and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Social protection: Expand social protection programmes, social safety nets, and access to basic services, including safe water, sanitation, and healthcare, to support vulnerable households and strengthen resilience to food insecurity.
• Preparedness and disease surveillance: Invest in early warning systems and preparedness for climate shocks, while strengthening surveillance and response to Ebola, Mpox and other disease outbreaks.