The M23 rebellion in Goma has led to dramatic increases in food prices, with essential items becoming unaffordable for many families. The conflict has disrupted supply routes, worsening an already critical food security situation, particularly for women and children. Humanitarian organizations are urging for unrestricted aid access as the risk of malnutrition rises sharply among displaced populations.
Food prices in Goma, the principal city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), have surged following the takeover by M23 rebels last week. Reports from locals and the anti-poverty NGO ActionAid indicate that prices for essential food items have increased dramatically, with some items jumping between 18 and 160 percent. This escalation contributes to an emerging hunger crisis, putting countless residents at risk of severe food insecurity.
Since the M23’s takeover on January 26, essential services such as electricity, water, and internet have faced disruptions, impacting local businesses and residents’ daily lives. While some services have since resumed, the prices of staple goods in markets have more than doubled due to the conflict affecting supply routes. A local resident, Julienne Anifa, expressed concern about the inflation of food prices, stating that it poses a significant economic burden on families during this tumultuous period.
An ActionAid community volunteer highlighted the steep increase in food costs, indicating that basic items, such as rice and water, have seen prices rise sharply. Before the conflict, a bucket of rice cost $20; it now exceeds $23, with water bottles similarly increasing in price. This inflation further exacerbates the challenges faced by families as they struggle to afford basic nourishment.
The NGO ActionAid reported that over 90 percent of Goma’s food supplies are sourced from surrounding areas, whose accessibility has been severely impacted by ongoing violence. Prior to the recent escalation, nearly 25 percent of the DRC’s 25.5 million population were already experiencing crisis and emergency levels of food security. Consequently, an explosion of malnutrition risk, especially among vulnerable populations such as women and children, is anticipated in the coming months.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that up to 4.5 million children under five and 3.7 million pregnant and breastfeeding women may face acute malnutrition due to the crisis. Camps for displaced persons in Goma have been critically reliant on humanitarian aid, which has been interrupted by violence, leaving tens of thousands without necessary support. ActionAid emphasized the urgent need for unhindered access for humanitarian organizations amidst the ongoing conflict.
As of late Monday, M23 rebels announced a ceasefire, claiming a pause in their advance in the DRC was necessary for humanitarian considerations. However, humanitarian agencies continue to call for immediate access to provide support to those affected by the increasing food crisis that threatens the livelihoods of many in Goma.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has long faced challenges associated with political instability and armed conflict. The recent takeover of Goma by the M23 rebels—a group previously involved in the region’s longstanding conflicts—has intensified these issues, particularly impacting food security. This has led to an alarming rise in food prices and urgent humanitarian concerns, with many families struggling to access basic nutrition in the shadow of violence and disruption to supply chains.
In conclusion, the takeover of Goma by M23 rebels has precipitated a severe increase in food prices, severely jeopardizing food security for many residents. The crisis not only impacts economic stability but threatens the well-being of countless individuals, especially the vulnerable. Humanitarian agencies call for immediate actions to restore supply chains and provide essential aid to mitigate the impacts of this escalating situation on the population.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
