Walikale Faces Severe Hunger as WFP and UNICEF Mobilize Aid

Walikale, North Kivu, DRC - The World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF have issued an urgent warning over a critical nutritional crisis in Walikale, threatening thousands of displaced families. The territory, already classified as Phase 4 of food insecurity - just below famine - is facing an estimated malnutrition rate of 46%.

During a meeting in Beni with North Kivu’s vice-governor, Ollo Sib, the acting WFP Country Director in the DRC announced the imminent deployment of a joint WFP-UNICEF mission to assess conditions and restart humanitarian operations.

UN agencies are calling for strengthened international coordination to swiftly address the urgent food, health, and protection needs of the vulnerable populations in Walikale.

“The situation is alarming, and immediate action is required to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe,” the WFP official said, highlighting the scale of the crisis.