DR Congo hunger: 28.8 million face food crisis

DR Congo hunger is deepening: roughly 28.8 million people, or 23 per cent of the population analysed, are forecast to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) through December, according to the latest alert from the UN-backed IPC food security monitor, UN News reported on 30 October 2026.

DR Congo hunger: File photo: food aid is handed to people in Rutshuru, eastern DR Congo — File photo: food aid is handed to people in Rutshuru, eastern DR Congo Photo: © WFP/Benjamin Anguandia via UN News (editorial use with credit).

DR Congo hunger: what the IPC alert says

More than 3.6 million people, or three per cent, are facing emergency conditions, IPC Phase 4. The IPC uses a five-phase scale in which Phase 5 is famine. The alert covers September 2026 to June 2027. It says the national share of people in Phase 3 or above is only marginally higher than in the previous analysis, but that conditions have worsened more sharply in the northeastern and eastern provinces. North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri remain the hardest hit, with 10.4 million people in Phase 3 or above, and four territories there, Djugu, Fizi, Shabunda and Walungu, are classified in Phase 4. The IPC, or Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, is used by governments and aid agencies to decide where help is needed most.

Key Facts

Phase 3 or above: 28.8 million (to December)
Phase 4 emergency: over 3.6 million
Projected Jan–Jun 2027: 30.3 million, incl. 4.2 million in Phase 4
Hardest hit: North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri
Ebola cases: over 10,000

Ebola and conflict in North Kivu and beyond

The alert was published as the country faces a record Ebola outbreak that is about to enter its sixth month, with more than 10,000 cases as of this week, UN News said. The outbreak first emerged in Ituri province and has spread to eight provinces. “In eastern DRC, conflict and violence continue to drive displacement, disrupt livelihoods and restrict access to food and markets,” the alert said. It added that the Ebola outbreak, other disease epidemics, rising food and fuel prices and floods and other climate shocks are adding to the strain. Displaced people, returnees, refugees and poor households are among the worst affected. Last week, as Ebola cases in the DRC passed 10,000, the World Health Organization underlined the need for continued efforts to contain the spread of the disease, UN News said.

Food insecurity forecast to worsen until June

The IPC expects the situation to worsen slightly from January to June 2027, when some 30.3 million people are projected to face Phase 3 or above, including 4.2 million likely to be in Phase 4. UN News said the increase will be driven by continued conflict and displacement, the spread of Ebola and the expected effects of El Nino, including flooding that could disrupt farming and access to markets. Rising prices of food, fuel and farm inputs, together with falling humanitarian assistance, are also expected to add to the crisis.

Why It Matters: The IPC figures guide where the UN and donors send food aid; a forecast rise while aid is falling signals a growing gap.

Source: UN News: DR Congo hunger deepens · IPC · WFP DR Congo