Record Levels Of Hunger In Congo, Warns UN
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published April 06, 2021 | 09:16 PM
A record 27.3 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo are facing acute hunger, one-third of the violence-wracked central African country's population, two UN agencies warned on Tuesday
Kinshasa, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 6th Apr, 2021 ) :A record 27.3 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo are facing acute hunger, one-third of the violence-wracked central African country's population, two UN agencies warned on Tuesday.
The DRC is "home to the highest number of people in urgent need of food security assistance in the world," the World Food Programme and the Food and Agricultural Organization said in a joint statement, describing the scale of the crisis as "staggering." They said one in three people -- a record high -- are now critically hungry in a country that has immense natural wealth, including vast deposits of diamonds.
"Conflict remains a key cause of hunger with large swathes of the conflict-affected eastern provinces of Ituri, North and South Kivu and Tanganyika, as well as the central region of Kasais, the scene of recent conflict, the worst hit," the statement said.
The Covid-19 pandemic and an economic downturn have also contributed to the crisis, it added.
The agencies said some families have been surviving by eating only taro, a tuber that grows wild, or only cassava leaves boiled in water.
"This country should be able to feed its population and export a surplus," said Peter Musoko, WFP's country representative. "We cannot have children going to bed hungry and families skipping meals for an entire day." The WFP said it needed $662 million this year to avoid plunging millions of people in desperate need of aid further into hunger.
The most affected populations, it said, are mainly more than 5.2 million displaced people, alongside refugees from the Central African Republic and female-headed households.
"Added to this are the poorest populations in urban and peri-urban areas and those living in landlocked areas with low purchasing power and access to food through markets," the statement said.
More than 100 armed groups roam eastern Democratic of Congo, many of them a legacy of wars in the 1990s that sucked in countries from around central Africa.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From World
-
Slot 'confident' of Liverpool job as 'negotiations' take place
2 hours ago -
Google parent Alphabet's Q1 profits beat estimates: company
2 hours ago -
WADA asks 'independent prosecutor' to examine Chinese swimmers case
2 hours ago -
New York court overturns Harvey Weinstein sex crime conviction
2 hours ago -
Bagnaia and Spanish rivals chase victory at Jerez
4 hours ago -
Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill at least 10 in frontline regions
4 hours ago
-
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
4 hours ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
4 hours ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
5 hours ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
5 hours ago -
US reinstates open internet rules rescinded under Trump
5 hours ago -
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
5 hours ago