Action contre la Faim warns of the imminent risk of a severe hunger crisis

The escalating conflict in the province of North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is pushing the population to an imminent risk of a severe hunger crisis.

Action Contre la Faim urges the UN Security Council members gathered today to ensure that the hunger crisis will not worsen and put more lives at risk calling for the respect of resolution 2417, through engagement with parties to the conflict to facilitate humanitarian access and respect of International Humanitarian Law.

Since January 2024 the escalation in fighting in North Kivu characterizes by the indiscriminate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, militarization of IDP camps and induced restriction of movement on main supply routes for the free passage of food, essential goods and aid. Over 240,000 persons have fled to the city of Goma in February alone, bringing the number of displaced persons to over 600,000 in camps and informal sites around the city of Goma in need of immediate lifesaving humanitarian aid. Families fleeing the conflict are arriving in deplorable nutritional and health conditions.

“Since the upsurge of conflict, the nutritional situation of children coming to Action contre la Faim health facilities in Lushagala camp 1 and 2 has worsened, and the number of severely malnourished children under 5 years old admitted has multiplied by four since November 2023. In February, Action contre la Faim received up to 10 new cases per day of children in severe acute malnutrition” explains Florian Monnerie, Action Contre la Faim country director in DRC

Outside Goma and across North Kivu, where there is over 2.4 million displaced people, the situation remains alarming. Civilians are continuously forced to flee the fighting, for days, weeks or months, leaving them with limited options to grow or purchase food. Fighting and induced blockades are also preventing humanitarian organization to provide much needed aid. Action contre la Faim had to stop its activities in Mweso health zone, Masisi Territory, during 3 weeks due to intense fighting in the area. Compounded by limited humanitarian access, families and communities have been left behind without life-saving assistance and protection further exacerbating the risk of a severe hunger crisis.

“Action Contre la Faim, along with other humanitarian organizations, urgently calls for the cessation of hostilities and the respect to International Humanitarian Law, enabling the protection of the civilian population and the safe delivery of neutral and impartial aid to the most in need. Immediate action is needed to further prevent the loss of life” says Florian Monnerie

Action Contre la Faim remains committed to providing life-saving assistance, including nutrition and medical care, water, hygiene, sanitation and psychosocial support. Action Contre la Faim works in DRC since 1997 and has programmes across North Kivu, notably in Mweso (Masisi Territory), Bambo (Ruthsuru Territory), and displacement sites in Goma including, Lushagala 1 and 2, Bulengo, Rusayo 2 and Kanyaruchinya.