Topic: 2024-Famine in Conflict Zones
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Delegate Name: Sadie Ankin
Representing: The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Topic: Famine in Conflict Zones
Delegate: Sadie Ankin
School: Francis W. Parker
Previously colonized by Belgium, The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) gained independence on June 30, 1960. Ever since there has been an ongoing conflict. In 2023, after the national election, violence among military and rebel groups transpired. Since then, the DRC has been in a state of civil unrest. The unstable nature of the government has led to over seven million people being internally displaced. Additionally, the DRC is recorded to be amongst the least economically developed countries in the world. These contributors have led the citizens of the DRC to experience immense food insecurity.
The DRC has one of Africa’s largest internal displacement crises. An overwhelming 22 percent of the population is acutely food insecure due to increased armed conflict and the impact of climate hazards, such as drinking water quality. This 22 percent equates to 23.4 million Congolese citizens suffering from food insecurity, making the DRC amongst the countries most affected by food insecurity in the world. The issues in the DRC have spanned decades, only becoming more severe with time. It is recorded that since 1996, conflict in the DRC has led to approximately six million deaths. 120 non-state armed groups are continuing to drive the DRC into a state of disaster. Historically, the Congolese people grew food to maintain their survival, but as a result of the conflict, land owners are being forced to flee, leaving millions displaced, without a reliable source of food. The DRC is naturally rich in resources, but this fails to help with food insecurity,1 in 6 Congolese live in extreme poverty, and 1 in 15 children acutely malnourished. To combat this issue, plans are trying to be implemented through emergency agriculture interventions. For example, with a $80 USD market gardening package, a family can quickly produce a variety of nutritious vegetables, using a combination of natural resources and assistance, which helps them make up to $480 USD on the local market. This not only helps provide a stable source of food, but assists with improving self-sufficiency. Although, it is not enough. Millions of people in the DRC are continuing to go hungry, and simply, the programs that are currently implemented aren’t able to combat the issue entirely.
Experiencing the complex issue of food insecurity, firsthand, the DRC believes it requires a multifaceted long-lasting solution. To move forward into a world where every citizen in every country has access to a stable source of food, it requires a transformation on a global level. In the DRC, the root of the issue lies within the seemingly never ending conflict. 80% of the 163 million Africans facing acute food insecurity are in conflict-affected countries. To solve the issue of food insecurity, it is essential to first work on the issue of ending conflicts.
Representing: The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Topic: Famine in Conflict Zones
Delegate: Sadie Ankin
School: Francis W. Parker
Previously colonized by Belgium, The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) gained independence on June 30, 1960. Ever since there has been an ongoing conflict. In 2023, after the national election, violence among military and rebel groups transpired. Since then, the DRC has been in a state of civil unrest. The unstable nature of the government has led to over seven million people being internally displaced. Additionally, the DRC is recorded to be amongst the least economically developed countries in the world. These contributors have led the citizens of the DRC to experience immense food insecurity.
The DRC has one of Africa’s largest internal displacement crises. An overwhelming 22 percent of the population is acutely food insecure due to increased armed conflict and the impact of climate hazards, such as drinking water quality. This 22 percent equates to 23.4 million Congolese citizens suffering from food insecurity, making the DRC amongst the countries most affected by food insecurity in the world. The issues in the DRC have spanned decades, only becoming more severe with time. It is recorded that since 1996, conflict in the DRC has led to approximately six million deaths. 120 non-state armed groups are continuing to drive the DRC into a state of disaster. Historically, the Congolese people grew food to maintain their survival, but as a result of the conflict, land owners are being forced to flee, leaving millions displaced, without a reliable source of food. The DRC is naturally rich in resources, but this fails to help with food insecurity,1 in 6 Congolese live in extreme poverty, and 1 in 15 children acutely malnourished. To combat this issue, plans are trying to be implemented through emergency agriculture interventions. For example, with a $80 USD market gardening package, a family can quickly produce a variety of nutritious vegetables, using a combination of natural resources and assistance, which helps them make up to $480 USD on the local market. This not only helps provide a stable source of food, but assists with improving self-sufficiency. Although, it is not enough. Millions of people in the DRC are continuing to go hungry, and simply, the programs that are currently implemented aren’t able to combat the issue entirely.
Experiencing the complex issue of food insecurity, firsthand, the DRC believes it requires a multifaceted long-lasting solution. To move forward into a world where every citizen in every country has access to a stable source of food, it requires a transformation on a global level. In the DRC, the root of the issue lies within the seemingly never ending conflict. 80% of the 163 million Africans facing acute food insecurity are in conflict-affected countries. To solve the issue of food insecurity, it is essential to first work on the issue of ending conflicts.
