DR of Congo: UN appeals for more funds for half million severely hungry people

Because of a huge shortfall in donations, nearly half a million refugees face severe hunger amid continued fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Cong (DRC), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) said today in a plea to the global community for a more generous response.

In its second alert to donors in as many months, WFP said it had received only 5 per cent of funding for its June appeal for more than $38 million to provide 46,000 tons of food assistance to people affected by the inter-ethnic fighting in eastern DRC.

“Unless we can feed these people, the situation will just get worse,” WFP Deputy country director Jose Pita-Gros said. “People are coming to the feeding centres exhausted and showing signs of malnutrition, especially the children. They are turning up in increasing numbers; last month in Kalemie town, there were twice as many as the previous month.”

So far, only Italy, Switzerland and New Zealand have responded and less than $2 million has been made available. WFP food reserves in the DRC are low and the agency has been unable to reach all the people in need.

In recent months, eastern DRC has seen heavy fighting between militias. Millions of people have fled their homes in fear, leaving behind all their belongings and their livelihoods. Many find themselves totally destitute and condemned to hunger.

After suffering five years of armed conflict, more than half the population of eastern DRC is estimated to be experiencing serious food shortages. The fighting has had a catastrophic impact on food availability, as farmers have been too afraid to work their lands. Civilians report vicious attacks; they speak of rape, torture and random killings.