Millions of Congolese face severe food insecurity, particularly in the north-east, where fighting has left millions uprooted. As part of his three-day visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the pope is expected to meet families displaced by conflicts in the east.
This amazing number includes more than half a million have been uprooted from their homes in recent monthsthe world food program of the United Nations, WFP has warned.
To help them, the UN agency has asked the international community for more than $627 million to fund vital humanitarian assistance this year.
corruption called
In a personal appeal, Pope Francis reportedly urged young Congolese to work for a better future and avoid corruption. His Italian remarks were translated into French for those gathered at the 80,000 capacity Stadium of Martyrs in Kinshasa.
“You are part of a larger story, a story that calls you to take an active role as a builder of community, as a champion of brotherhood, an indomitable dreamer of a more united world‘ the pope said, urging listeners never to succumb to ‘the persuasive but poisonous temptations of corruption’.
Severe hunger affects one in four
In 2022, WFP reached 5.4 million of the most vulnerable people in the DR Congo with food and nutritional aid, with a focus on conflict-affected women and children.
But the need is enormous in the Central African nation, where severe hunger affects more than 26 million people – more than a quarter of the total population.
“I’ve seen firsthand that this country has so much potential To produce food for the people and to give jobs to the youth,” said WFP country director and representative for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Peter Musoko.
He expressed hope that the Pope’s visit will help highlight the plight of millions of starving people in the Central African nation. for WFP is sometimes “the only lifeline against catastrophic food insecurity“.
“In the face of an ongoing emergency and limited resources, we are reaching out to the international community $627.3 million in 2023‘ Mr Musoko said.
A 14-year-old teenager is in the hospital under the supervision of his aunt. The family was attacked by gunmen in March 2022 in their village near Bunia.
Goma refuge
Some of those displaced by violence in north-east DRC have found support from WFP and partners, along with shelter in the makeshift Kanyaruchinya camp outside the provincial capital, Goma.
There, farmer Dorati Ndagisa now lives destitute with her five children in the eastern province of North Kivu after armed groups were evicted from her homestead.
Their plight is mirrored by many othersa result of chronic unrest linked to 1998-2003 conflicts over precious natural resources that involved up to eight regional neighbors and have spawned more than 100 armed groups now terrorizing communities in eastern DRC.
“I used to be a farmer and had a stable life,” said Ms. Ndagisa, who once grew beans and potatoes in the village of Rugari, 35 kilometers away. “I haven’t had anything since the war and I don’t know how to feed my children.”
