Congo-Brazzaville: Starvation Threatens Thousands of Congolese Children

Kinshasa — AS many as 700 000 children could starve in the conflict-torn Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) unless food aid is secured. The head of the United Nations World Food Programme, David Beasley, warned this was one of the humanitarian catastrophes looming in the area. "We need access to those children, and we need money urgently," he said at the conclusion of his tour of the Central African country. Some 3,2 million people in the Kasai are severely food insecure, struggling to feed themselves and in need of assistance. Kasai's traditionally high rates of malnutrition were pushed higher following the eruption last year of inter-ethnic violence characterised by large-scale killing, the wholesale destruction of villages and crops, and the targeting of hospitals, clinics and schools. The region now accounts for more than 40 percent of the DRC's 7,7 million severely food insecure. WFP is also concerned at the crisis in the eastern North Kivu province after two decades of conflict. Over 250 000 people of the province's 1 million are displaced. Beasley urged beleaguered President Joseph Kabila to "do his part to bring about much-needed change." The conflicts have worsened after Kabila hung to power at the expiry of his mandate late last year.

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.