In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), UNICEF and the World Food Program (WFP), all three United Nations agencies, are jointly sounding the alarm on the food and humanitarian situation in the region, fearing a famine which threatens millions of people.

KASAÏ FALLS WITH FOOD INSECURITY

The Kasai region and the three provinces it includes are historically agricultural lands, which provide residents with food and income. The populations of the region have always functioned in self-sufficiency. But the clashes between the militias and the army which have raged since 2016 have forced entire villages to abandon their land, to which they had no access for months.

“Farmers who fled due to the clashes have missed three consecutive planting seasons. As a result, there is a severe shortage of food. Food aid fails to fill the gap. Only 400,000 of the 3.2 million people suffering from severe food insecurity in Kasai received assistance in December,” according to the statement from FAO, WFP and UNICEF.

In Kasai, more than 90% of the rural population depends on agriculture. Almost the entire region must therefore face real security and food instability. After having had to hide in the forests following the destruction or fire of their villages, 630,000 displaced people were able to return to their lands where everything has to be rebuilt.

At least 400,000 children under the age of 5 suffer from severe acute malnutrition. To enable them to survive, NGOs are calling for medical, health and food aid. Long-term measures are expected from the United Nations and the Congolese government.

By: Juliette Heuzebroc