August 8, 2003
As fighting continues in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations World Food Programme has given a warning that nearly half a million displaced people face severe hunger, because a WFP appeal has gone largely unanswered.
In an alert to donors – the second in two months – WFP says it has received only five percent of the required funding. WFP food reserves in the DRC are low and the agency has been unable to reach all the people in need. WFP launched an appeal in June for more than US$38 million to provide 46,000 tonnes of food assistance to people affected by the inter-ethnic fighting in eastern DRC. But so far, only Italy, Switzerland and New Zealand have responded and less than US$2m has been made available – leaving a shortfall of 95 percent.
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.
"Unless we can feed these people, the situation will just get worse," said WFP's Deputy Country Director in DRC, Jose Pita-Gros. "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."
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. "We hope the international community understands the extent of the suffering. People are on the move, trying to escape the brutality of the various armed groups. As long as that continues, there is no way they can feed themselves,"said Jose Pita-Gros.
The prevailing insecurity also affects humanitarian agencies trying to reach people in need. To assist the most pressing cases, WFP last week launched two special operations to airlift food. One airlift to Bunia, due to end on Saturday, is delivering maize meal, pulses, oil and salt to some 65,000 new arrivals who previously had no access to food assistance. It brings the number of people receiving WFP food aid in Bunia to around 185,000.
In North Katanga, WFP is operating out of its airbase at Kalemie and flying to the towns of Kongolo, Nyunzu and Kabalo. Over the next two months, WFP will deliver some 1,500 tonnes of food to more than 25,000 malnourished and displaced people. Most of that food aid will go to Kongolo, where thousands of people have sought refuge amid reports of continuing violence.
WFP's emergency intervention in war-torn eastern DRC is in addition to an existing operation to provide food aid to 1.4 million people across the country.
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