Briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Thank you for giving me the floor, USG. I would like to thank the USG for the comprehensive picture you provided on the humanitarian situation in the DRC. In particular, on the rapid decline of the food insecurity situation.

 

I also want to thank the intervention and recommendations of the chargé d’affaires of the DRC.

 

In June, an estimated 7.7 million people faced acute hunger. This is 30 percent more than in June 2016 and very close to famine.

 

Hunger is on the rise due to the humanitarian crisis, conflict and displacement, mainly in the Kasaï and Tanganyika regions. High level of poverty, a weakened currency and the loss of purchasing power of rural households are making matters worse.

 

FAO is also very concerned with the spread of the Fall Armyworm pest, affecting mainly maize production.

 

To respond to the rapidly growing food insecurity, FAO activated the Increased Corporate Surge response in July 2017. This allows rapid and substantial scaling-up of emergency response interventions, as part of the wider UN System response.

 

FAO aims to support over 1.3 million people in DRC. Our capacity to do so, however, is contingent to funding. Resources received from CERF, Belgium and OFDA/USAID are allowing us to assist over 210 thousand people so far.

 

I would like to add that, in April 2017 FAO, IFAD and WFP started a five-year programme to support interventions in resilience, livelihoods, food security and nutrition and sustainable agriculture in DRC, Niger and Somalia. This initiative is supported by Canada.

 

This initiative is especially relevant in DRC as 70 to 80 percent of the country’s population make their living from agriculture and its related services.

 

FAO and WFP are also joining efforts to deliver an integrated support to vulnerable rural households. This combines the provision of food assistance with economic, social, technical and financial interventions. These interventions are mutually reinforcing.

 

We believe that efforts such as these are an important way to support peace, stability and sustainable development in DRC.