Geneva, 13 April 2018.

With 13.1 million people in dire need of assistance, the DRC continues to witness one of the most complex and long-standing humanitarian crisis. International donors, Member States, United Nations Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations gathered in Geneva for a Humanitarian Conference on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on 13 April 2018. The aim of the Conference, co-hosted by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the European Union and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, was to draw attention to the urgency and severity of the humanitarian crisis in the DRC and to secure additional and sustained financial support for the coordinated inter-agency response.

The event, moderated by Mr. Marck Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, was well attended and saw numerous pledges by donors to total USD 528 million.

“The generosity of donors will allow the United Nations and humanitarian agencies, working alongside the Government and Congolese institutions, to save more lives and protect more women, girls, boys and men,” said Mark Lowcock.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) made a statement to remind all that despite the very difficult and worrisome situation, with close to 8 million people severely food insecure, a lot can be done to increase agricultural production and improve food security for millions. “Agriculture is a crucial part of the solution to the crisis. This is the leading sector that can provide for nutritious food, income, livelihood and dignity combined”, FAO Liaison Office in Geneva Director, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said in the statement, adding that “So far, 44 000 hectares have been put into production, producing enough food for approximately 140 million meals”, noting that “the majority of the displaced are women and therefore the main drivers of recovery.”

FAO’s statement also paid tribute to the immense solidarity and humanity of the Congolese people who are the first line of response in helping people in need and pledge its continued support to their efforts.

Statement by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): 

1. Co-chairs, since 2016, due to the ongoing conflict, the level of food insecurity has risen dramatically in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Almost 8 million people are now severely food insecure.

2. People fleeing the violence had to suspend agricultural activities or could not harvest. They have lost their productive assets, including seeds, equipment and livestock. They have no food reserves or income. They rely either on humanitarian aid and the extraordinary solidarity from the host families.

3. Despite this complex situation, a lot can be done. First, because the DRC has abundant natural resources, including fertile land and water. Secondly, the vast majority of rural families depend on farming, including those affected by the crisis, and are keen to resume or increase agricultural production wherever they are.

4. Agriculture is a crucial part of the solution to the crisis. This is the leading sector that can provide for nutritious food, income, livelihood and dignity combined.

5. FAO has provided over half a million people with agricultural inputs and technical assistance to restore food production. To strengthen household resilience, cash-for-work and loan schemes are being established. So far, 44 000 hectares have been put into production, producing enough food for

approximately 140 million meals. I should note, that the majority of the displaced are women and therefore the main drivers of recovery.

6. We are working closely with WFP, several NGOs and the staff in the Ministry of Agriculture at all levels, to ensure that people can rapidly resume food production.

7. FAO would like to thank the governments of Belgium, Canada, Germany and the United States of America, the European Union, CERF and Humanitarian pooled fund for their support. FAO received USD 19 million but USD 71 million is still needed under the HRP for us to assist 2.8 million people.

8. In closing, as you may know, as much as 80 percent of the displaced are being hosted by local families, often very poor themselves. They are the first responders and make great sacrifices, long before humanitarian aid arrives. FAO would like to pay tribute to their immense solidarity and selflessness and pledge our continued support to their efforts.

I thank you.