Press release
DRC: 28.8 million people at risk of hunger, as Ebola spreads
The latest analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), carried out in September, reveals a continuing deterioration in the food security situation in the DRC, particularly in the east and north-east of the country. 28.8 million people are suffering from acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or 4), compared with 26.5 million during the period from January to June 2026.
This deterioration is particularly marked in the provinces affected by armed conflict, where violence is causing mass population displacement, disrupting agricultural activities and limiting access to markets and essential services.
In this critical context, the resurgence of the Ebola epidemic – which has now exceeded 10,000 cases – is further exacerbating the vulnerability of local populations. Present in eight provinces of the DRC and in three other African countries, the epidemic is disrupting economic activity, restricting people’s mobility and jeopardising the livelihoods of many households.
In Mongbwalu, in Ituri, the crisis is not only a health crisis, but also an economic one. For gold miners, market traders and motorbike taxi drivers, the halt in activity often means a loss of income and, consequently, a lack of food.
“If I don’t go out to work on my motorbike today, my children will go to bed hungry tonight. For those of us living one day at the time, hunger is a far more immediate threat than Ebola,” says a resident of the town, the epicenter of the outbreak.
The epidemic is also affecting access to healthcare and the treatment of child malnutrition. In several health zones supported by Action Against Hunger, teams have observed a significant drop in attendance at health facilities, due to fears of infection. In Mongbwalu, the number of new consultations for the integrated management of childhood illnesses fell from 3,053 in April to 1,285 in September 2026. Over the same period, admissions for acute malnutrition dropped from 179 to 90 cases.
“In the affected areas, more and more families are struggling to secure enough food. Yet malnutrition and disease are closely linked: malnutrition weakens children’s immune systems and leaves them more vulnerable to diseases such as measles, malaria and even Ebola. It is crucial to maintain access to primary healthcare and nutrition programmes in order to prevent the situation from worsening,” warns Julie Drouet, Director of Action Against Hunger in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“Responding to the multidimensional crisis facing the DRC requires an integrated approach that tackles the root causes of vulnerability, as well as predictable and sustainable funding, to help families cope with successive shocks and build their long-term resilience,” concludes Julie Drouet.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Action Against Hunger is implementing a multi-sectoral response combining nutrition, health, water, hygiene and sanitation, mental health and food security. In the face of Ebola, the organisation supports the prevention and control of the disease whilst maintaining access to essential health and nutrition services.