Attachments
Main trends
- Food-related violence in the forms of attacks against farmers and livestock looting were reported between August 2024 and January 2025 in the eastern DRC provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, with incidents concentrated in the territories of Djugu, Irumu, Beni, and Rutshuru.
- Attacks on civilians engaged in food-related activities—particularly farmers working in their fields—were the most frequently reported type of violence, followed by the looting of livestock.
- A surge in conflict in December 2024 contributed to the peak in food-related violence in North Kivu and Ituri. The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and M23 resumed direct combat in early December, triggering clashes in Lubero and leading to the capture of Masisi’s administrative capital. The breakdown of peace talks mid-month further escalated tensions. Amid this instability, suspected M23 fighters looted over 300 cows and goats in Ngoroba (Rutshuru), while Mai-Mai Wazalendo imposed illegal taxes on farmers in Biakato (Ituri). In February 2025, several IDP camps in and around Goma were forcibly dismantled, displacing thousands under unclear conditions and raising serious concerns about their access to basic services and humanitarian assistance. December recorded the highest number of food-related incidents in the period, and by late January 2025, the World Food Programme (WFP) had suspended operations in Goma due to insecurity (though operations partially resumed by March 2025).
- From January to June 2025, North Kivu and Ituri are projected to remain in Integrated Food Security Phase Classification 3 (Crisis). Across the DRC, an estimated 27.7 million people are expected to experience high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above). Of which, approximately 3.9 million people are projected to face critical conditions (Phase 4).