Attachments
Acute hunger is at the highest level in DRC (27.7 million people) but WFP’s operations are struggling to reach people in need due to unprecedented resource constraints. Reduced resources and a negative outlook compel WFP to resort to prioritization exercises to serve only those deemed most vulnerable with reduced quantities of food thereby undermining the impact of humanitarian assistance. WFP needs USD 270 million for the next six months to maintain assistance to people in need.
Context
In the first half of the year, the humanitarian situation in DRC has deteriorated drastically, as the conflict in the east continues. Lack of access to basic health services and clean water has had a huge impact on the lives of people. There has been record impact on the civilian population with over 7,000 people killed, over 7 million displaced, 1.8 million people have been forced to return to their villages and about 150,000 have crossed into neighbouring countries to escape the violence. The constant movement is disrupting food security and livelihoods for those affected. In addition, there has been a rise in epidemics specifically monkeypox (Mpox), measles and cholera. These outbreaks are occurring when health systems have been destroyed and overwhelmed by the high demands.
Third party interventions have been initiated to facilitate diplomatic action to end the conflict. In June, a peace agreement was signed in Washington between the Governments of DRC and Rwanda. Meanwhile Qatari-mediated discussions on concrete next steps and action plans are still ongoing.
Transitions within the United States Foreign Assistance and reduction in overall donor assistance in the first half of the year has had a direct impact on humanitarian operations in the DRC. The significant reduction of funding prompted several humanitarian agencies to reduce or even suspend their operations, further increasing the scale and severity of humanitarian needs. The delay or suspension of funding has had direct implications on the delivery of lifesaving support across humanitarian sectors for vulnerable men, women, and children.
Food Security: With a record 27.7 million people facing acute food insecurity, DRC is as a hunger hotspot of very high concern as per the latest Hunger Hotspots report. The classification is based on the increased number of people and proportion of the population facing emergency (IPC phase 4) level of acute food insecurity which is expected to worsen in coming months. The continued fighting in agricultural eastern DRC disrupts activities and markets, impacting food availability in coming months. Simultaneously, the prevailing high food prices impact the purchasing power of vulnerable households further impacting food security. In the face of underfunding and poor funding outlooks, limited access and increasing insecurity, a hyper-prioritized plan has been established for the humanitarian response plan in the latest Global Humanitarian Overview report. Due to the impacts of the escalation of conflict at the beginning of the year, DRC still maintains high requirements and prioritized target response plan.