The escalating conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has caused widespread displacement and a severe hunger crisis, prompting the World Food Programme (WFP) to urgently call for international support. The surge in fighting, including intense artillery fire, has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, overwhelming the capital of North Kivu province, Goma. As of Monday, January 27th, the violence reached new heights, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
Peter Musoko, WFP Country Director for DRC, expressed deep concern over the impact of the escalating violence: “Goma falling is the worst thing that we could possibly imagine happening in North Kivu. It means an urban city center filled with vulnerable and frustrated people, all desperately seeking assistance. We face the gigantic task of identifying who is the most vulnerable and reaching them with life-saving aid.”
The conflict has forced families to flee on foot, enduring long journeys without access to clean water or adequate shelter. Displaced individuals carry only the bare essentials, often walking for miles with belongings wrapped in cloth, searching for safety amid the sounds of gunfire and explosions. The WFP is monitoring the situation closely to provide assistance where possible, though safety remains the primary concern for humanitarian workers.
Currently, the WFP aims to assist 800,000 people across North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri provinces—regions that were already home to 5.1 million displaced individuals before the latest wave of violence. Many people are fleeing to overcrowded shelters with family members, where basic needs such as food, clean water, bedding, and medical supplies are urgently required. Women and children, particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence, are bearing the brunt of the crisis, with sexual violence, including widespread rape, being a significant concern.
Before the recent escalation, DRC was already grappling with severe food insecurity. Nearly a quarter of the country’s 25.6 million people were already classified as being in a “crisis” or “emergency” state of food insecurity. The situation is expected to worsen over the next five months, with 4.5 million children under the age of five and 3.7 million pregnant and breastfeeding women at risk of acute malnutrition.
WFP operations continue to provide critical assistance, including food distributions, though the situation has become increasingly unpredictable. Musoko described the chaotic situation, recalling how he had to call off the distribution efforts in Goma as the situation deteriorated. He emphasized the need for urgent financial support to ensure that the response can continue.
“We need urgent financing to respond swiftly and effectively. We have to act now, or we risk further escalating the crisis. If donors fail to respond, we will not only witness severe suffering in DRC but potentially a wider regional crisis,” Musoko warned.
To address the worsening conditions, WFP is calling for US$410 million to continue its operations through June 2025, focusing on reaching 1.5 million people per month with life-saving aid. The funds will be directed to support nutrition clinics, school feeding programs, and initiatives to support female farmers and small businesses in the region.
Musoko underscored the urgency of the situation: “There is not a minute to lose. The international community must come together now and say enough. Too many lives have already been lost. Too many people are suffering needlessly in this conflict. It’s time to take action.”
As the crisis deepens, the need for swift, coordinated action is clearer than ever. The WFP calls on international donors, governments, and humanitarian organizations to unite in support of the people of eastern DRC, who face an uncertain and perilous future unless global assistance arrives quickly.
Source: World Food Programme (WFP)
