Recent hostilities between the Congolese army and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have plunged the North Kivu province into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. In addition to the loss of life and massive population displacement, the region is facing a serious food shortage.
The closure of the road section linking Goma to Bukavu, the main food supply point for the latter, led to a spectacular increase in the prices of basic foodstuffs. Traders like Wakengo Itete testify to the difficulties encountered in obtaining products such as beans, soybeans, cassava, whose prices have practically doubled, making access to food increasingly difficult for the local population.
Faced with this crisis, some try to obtain supplies from surrounding villages, but production is insufficient due to armed conflicts which have disrupted agricultural activities. To alleviate this situation, the rehabilitation of agricultural roads is essential to ensure the delivery of foodstuffs to areas in need. Furthermore, it is also crucial to guarantee the security of territories and villages to allow farmers to cultivate in complete peace of mind.
Local civil society, represented by actors like Christian Baguma, highlights the importance of creativity and innovation to overcome this food crisis. By efficiently exploiting the region’s arable land and implementing sustainable solutions, it is possible to guarantee food security in Bukavu and prevent future shortages.
This current crisis reveals the need to rethink agricultural development strategies and invest in the resilience of local communities in the face of armed conflicts that threaten their food security. By joining forces, local authorities, civil society and humanitarian actors can work together to overcome current challenges and ensure a better future for the North Kivu region.