Congo: Hunger worsens for millions amid conflict, Ebola and climate shocks

Congo continues to face a severe food security crisis due to ongoing conflict in the east, widespread displacement and territorial expansion Ebola disease outbreaks, economic shocks and the potential impact of the El Niño weather pattern.

The IPC is a UN-backed platform that uses a five-phase scale to classify the severity of food insecurity, with level 5 being hunger.

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High levels of hunger

About 28.8 million people, or 23 percent of the population analyzed, are estimated to experience high levels of acute food insecurity. (IPC Phase 3 or higher) until December.

More than 3.6 million people, three percent, face emergency conditions or IPC Phase 4.

That alert cduring the period September 2026 to next June and is published against the backdrop of a record Ebola outbreak that is about to enter six months, with more than 10,000 cases this week.

The crisis first emerged in the restive eastern province of Ituri – where armed groups have terrorized residents for decades – and has now spread to eight provinces across the country.

Deterioration in the eastern region

“While the proportion of the national population in Phase 3 or higher is only slightly higher than in previous analysis, This condition is getting worse in the northeastern and eastern provincessaid the warning.

North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri remain the most affected provinces, with 10.4 million people in Phase 3 or above, while four regions within them – Djugu, Fizi, Shabunda and Walungu – are classified in Phase 4.

Among those most affected are refugees, returnees, IDPs and poor households.

“In eastern Congo, conflict and violence continue to cause displacement, disrupt livelihoods and limit access to food and markets,” the alert said.

“A A rapidly growing Ebola outbreak, recurrent disease epidemics, rising food and fuel prices, and the impact of floods and other climate shocks add to vulnerabilities,” leaving millions of people with limited means to prevent starvation.

Conditions will get worse

IPC estimates that food security will worsen slightly in January to June. About 30.3 million people are expected to face Phase 3 or later, including 4.2 million who are likely to face Phase 4.

This increase will be driven by ongoing conflict and displacement, the spread of Ebola, and the expected impacts of El Niño, including flooding that could disrupt agricultural production and market access.

Other factors include rising prices for food, fuel and agricultural raw materials, as well as a decline in humanitarian aid.