Droughts, floods and other climate impacts decimate crops. Where food is grown, farmers struggle to access markets. Roads and bridges are often destroyed or blocked, resulting in food loss as trucks are forced to take substantially longer routes to get from A to B.
And easing pressures starts in the east?
While it is important to recognize the unique dynamics in each region, addressing the issues in the conflict-riven provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu would contribute to improving the overall stability and development of the DRC.
But this requires peace and the safe return and resettlement of the displaced population.
Back on their land, their work would invite investments in rural infrastructure and resilience-building activities. It would also require the reintegration of combatants into a workforce that can help DRC not only fend for itself in terms of agriculture but also export food.
What does WFP need for the next six months?
WFP’s absolute minimum plan for 1.5 million of the most vulnerable is facing a net funding requirement of US$381.2 million for the next six months. But to keep our wider operations going we need US$567.8 million.
How are we dealing with this shortfall?
We call it extreme prioritization: providing full rations for six months to a lower number of people rather than spreading assistance too thinly such that no one is adequately served. It’s a painful decision – which is why we urgently need funds.
Could you describe our work with other agencies?
WFP works closely with agencies such as FAO and UNICEF, especially in Tanganyika and Kasai provinces.
Projects supported by Sweden and Norway promote the links between humanitarian, development and peace work. So, there is a response to immediate needs while reducing long-term needs thanks to economic, social, technical and resilience activities to improve people’s ability to respond to crises.
Over the past year, WFP has conducted several conflict-sensitivity analyses to better inform its programming, including through a joint project with FAO in the Kasai. The protection of the people we serve is at the heart of WFP’s interventions.
That takes us back to the problems faced by women and girls
Women living in displaced camps have the impossible choice of letting their families go hungry or facing sexual violence as they venture out to find food and firewood, or are forced into unsafe strategies such as prostitution to survive.
A mix of reasons lies behind the alarming uptick: from highly unequal gender relationships, a culture of impunity, a weak justice system, displacement and unsafe living conditions, to hunger and poverty, deepened by a lack of access to food and insufficient funding for humanitarian assistance.
Regular and predictable food assistance can mitigate some of these survival strategies. At WFP, we are keen to highlight the links between food insecurity and the elevated protection risks that women face in eastern DRC. While providing food assistance and other needs – such as shelter, water and sanitation – is essential, joint advocacy, integrated solutions and programming are needed with many partners and stakeholders.
