The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with one of the world's most serious humanitarian crises, with growing violence and widespread displacement unleashing apocalyptic levels of food insecurity. Over 660,000 individuals have been displaced in the Goma area alone since January 2025, according to recent United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reports, and have joined tens of millions more displaced by years of ongoing conflict. This large-scale displacement, together with disrupted farming and shattered supply chains, has pushed a record 10.3 million people in eastern DRC into acute hunger - a whopping 29% more than six months ago.

The Perfect Storm of Hunger Drivers

1. Unrelenting Violence Paralyzes Food Systems

The present crisis is a result of mounting conflicts between Congolese military forces (FARDC), M23 rebels, and several other armed groups in the eastern provinces. This violence has wrought a havoc-producing ripple effect:

• Agricultural Collapse: In the Grand Nord area of North Kivu - historically the breadbasket of eastern DRC - farmers have left approximately 70% of tillable land unworked as a result of conflict. Planting cycles have been totally disrupted, and the FAO estimates a 45% decline in production of staple crops.
• Market Systems in Shambles: Critical supply lines between agricultural regions and urban areas such as Goma have been cut off. The limited trucks that make the trip are forced to pay crippling "security taxes" to armed groups, causing food prices to increase threefold in some markets.
• Economic Collapse: With all income-generating activities shut down, households are spending as much as 80% of their dwindling assets on food alone, leaving nothing for other necessities such as healthcare or education.

2. Displacement Hits Catastrophic Proportions

The scope of human displacement has stretched available humanitarian infrastructure to the breaking point:

• Internal Displacement: Camps near Goma that were meant for 50,000 are sheltering more than 200,000, with fresh arrivals camping in open fields. Sanitation systems have broken down, triggering cholera outbreaks.
• Cross-Border Exodus: Border countries receive 140,000 new Congolese refugees in 2025, with Uganda's Kyangwali reception center receiving 1,500 new arrivals every day. Many of them present with signs of acute malnutrition after weeks of walking.

3. Children Pay the Price

UNICEF has alarming trends:

• 1 in 4 children under five in the camps present with acute malnutrition
• School enrolment has fallen 60% as children beg or scour for food instead
• Hospitals register doubling of severe malnutrition cases since January

WFP's Overextended Response

In one of the globe's most perilous settings, WFP has delivered astounding coverage: Inside DRC (Jan-Mar 2025)

• Emergency Food Distributions: 1.1 million individuals saved from starvation with life-saving rations, although this reaches only 10% of the population in need
• Nutrition Interventions: 340,000 children and mothers treated for malnutrition by 120 mobile health clinics
• School Feeding: 115,000 children getting daily meals - frequently their only assured food
• Resilience Programs: 14,000 individuals trained in climate-resilient agriculture practices

Regional Refugee Response

The crisis spilled across borders, taxing resources in host countries:

Uganda:

• 630,000 refugees assisted (down from 1.6 million with funding reductions)
• 18% global acute malnutrition rates reported in emergency nutrition centers - far higher than the 15% famine level

Rwanda:

• 130,000 half-rations of refugees
• 16,700 new arrivals in April-May overwhelming the reception facilities

Tanzania:

• 186,000 refugees to experience ration reductions from 82% to 50% by June
• Encampment policies rigorously enforce self-reliance denial

Burundi:

• 80,000 refugees, of which 25,000 were new arrivals
• Food stocks depleted by October if no new funding received

Critical Challenges Threatening Response

• Access Denied: 40% of North Kivu's conflict zones remain inaccessible behind roadblocks and violence. Military escorts are needed to accompany aid convoys, slowing down deliveries.
• Funding Catastrophe: WFP's DRC program is only 28% funded for 2025. Neighbouring country programs share similar shortfalls.
• Systemic Collapse: Closure of Goma airport has suspended UN air operations, with fuel shortages rendering ground transportation unreliable.

The Looming Catastrophe

Unless urgent action is taken:

• 5.2 million individuals will experience emergency (IPC Phase 4) hunger by August
• Acute malnutrition levels may exceed 20% in worst-affected communities
• Disease outbreaks will intensify as immune systems become compromised
• Regional stability will be eroded as desperate populations move