DR Congo food insecurity projected to reach 30.3 million

About 30.3 million people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are projected to face acute food insecurity at IPC Phase 3 or worse from January through June 2027. That is 3.8 million more than the estimate for the same six months in 2026, an increase of about 14% based on the rounded figures.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) published its analysis on Oct. 30, 2026. On Nov. 13, the Food and Agriculture Organization, World Food Programme, UNICEF and World Health Organization issued a joint warning based on the analysis. The 2027 figure is a projection, not a confirmed future count.

How the periods compare i

The clearest year-to-year comparison is between January–June 2026 and January–June 2027: the projected total rises by 3.8 million. The analysis also puts the January–June 2027 projection nearly 1.5 million above the September–December 2026 estimate. But those periods cover six months and four months, respectively, so that comparison does not measure the same length of time.

For September–December 2026, the IPC estimates that 28.8 million people—23% of the analyzed population—were in Phase 3 or worse. The figures refer to analyzed populations, not every person in the country. Phase 4 is included in the Phase 3-or-worse total; the 4.2 million projected in Phase 4 should not be added to the 30.3 million. The Phase 4 projection is about 600,000 above the September–December estimate.

More than 11 million people in eastern provinces projected to face acute food insecurity i

More than 11 million people in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri are projected to face Phase 3 or worse in January–June 2027. Nine territories are projected to be in Phase 4: Djugu in Ituri; Lubero, Masisi and Oïcha in North Kivu; and Fizi, Kalehe, Mwenga, Shabunda and Walungu in South Kivu.

The IPC identifies conflict and displacement, Ebola, climate shocks—including anticipated El Niño-related flooding—rising food and fuel prices, and declining humanitarian assistance among the factors affecting the outlook. The four agencies also point to other disease outbreaks. The analysis does not quantify how much each factor contributes to the projection.

The agencies called for coordinated, sustained financing and action, including expanded food assistance, restoration of agricultural livelihoods, prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition, continued essential health and other services, and humanitarian access. They also urged support ahead of critical planting seasons. The warning is a call for action; it does not itself provide assistance.

Anadolu Agency reported that a Congolese Agriculture Ministry official said the government would seek resources for relevant ministries. The report did not specify an amount or timetable.