Overview

The humanitarian situation in the Democratic republic of Congo (DRC) is rapidly deteriorating, with nearly 25 million people facing high levels of food insecurity as of November 7, 2025. Access to vulnerable populations is severely hampered by the ongoing conflict involving the M23 rebel group, compounded by notable funding shortfalls for humanitarian aid. The World Food Program (WFP) is urgently calling for the establishment of a humanitarian air corridor to reach those in need.

Conflict and Aid Blockage

UN aid agencies are struggling to reach provinces controlled by the M23 rebel group, wich is allegedly backed by Rwanda. Kigali consistently denies providing military support to the group. The closure of two airports in M23-held areas since the end of January has further restricted access.

Cynthia Jones, WFP’s Country Director for DRC, emphasized the critical need for air access, stating, “We’re urgently calling for a humanitarian air corridor to be established.” (WFP, November 7, 2025). Re-establishing air access would considerably improve the delivery of vital assistance.

Alarming Levels of Food Insecurity

A recent report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) platform warns that nearly 25 million Congolese are experiencing high levels of food insecurity (IPC3 or above). This represents a significant increase in need.

Specifically,three million individuals are facing “emergency” levels of hunger (IPC4),a figure that has “almost doubled as last year,” according to Ms. Jones. This dramatic increase highlights the worsening crisis.

Understanding the IPC Scale

Impact on Families

The escalating food insecurity has devastating consequences for families. Those at IPC4 levels are forced to skip meals and make desperate choices to survive. The report details the hardship faced by communities, including increased malnutrition rates, particularly among children.