Soaring Food Prices in Goma Amidst M23 Conflict

Food prices in Goma have increased by up to 160% following the M23 rebel takeover, causing a severe hunger crisis for residents. Essential items are becoming unaffordable due to conflicts blocking supply routes. ActionAid warns that hundreds of thousands may face malnutrition unless urgent humanitarian aid is restored. A recent ceasefire by M23 offers a glimmer of hope for aid efforts.

The cost of essential food items in Goma, the primary city in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has skyrocketed by as much as 160 percent following the recent takeover by M23 rebels. Reports indicate that disruptions in supply chains due to ongoing conflict have resulted in significantly increased prices, putting basic nutrition beyond reach for many residents. The anti-poverty NGO ActionAid warns that this situation could lead to severe hunger for hundreds of thousands of people in the region.

During a survey of three local markets (Virunga, Lenine, and Kituku) conducted by ActionAid, a drastic increase in food prices was documented between January 25 and January 31. Flour, beans, and cooking oil, among other staples, have seen price hikes of 18 to 160 percent. Following the rebel takeover on January 26, Goma experienced sporadic fighting, service disruptions, and store closures, exacerbating the crisis.

While some services have since been restored and food items are appearing in local markets, residents confirm that prices have doubled or tripled since the conflict began. Local shopper Julienne Anifa has expressed her concerns about the economic impact of high prices during this time of crisis, stating how it affects daily purchasing power. ActionAid representatives noted that basic items have seen significant price increases, making survival increasingly difficult for the population.

The situation in Goma reflects a broader issue; more than 90 percent of the city’s food supply is sourced from surrounding areas, which are now cut off due to violence. This blockade has created a deepening hunger crisis, posing grave risks for vulnerable populations, particularly women and children. Before the escalation in violence, approximately one-quarter of the DRC’s 25.5 million inhabitants already lived in crisis conditions regarding food security.

The World Food Programme (WFP) warns that over the next five months, millions of children and mothers could face acute malnutrition due to these disruptions. Moreover, hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals in eastern DRC are now without necessary aid due to the ongoing fighting. “We urgently need to get aid in – and fast. But right now, aid efforts are being blocked,” stated Yakubu Mohammed Saani, the DRC country director for ActionAid.

In a relevant development, M23 has recently declared a ceasefire, suggesting a temporary halt in hostilities in eastern DRC for humanitarian reasons. This pause may provide a window for aid organizations to deliver much-needed assistance to those affected by the ongoing crisis.

Following the takeover of Goma by the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, the city has witnessed a dramatic increase in food prices. Essential goods have become increasingly unaffordable, leading to grave concerns about nutrition and food security among the local population. With the ongoing conflict hindering supply routes and disrupting aid efforts, the situation is dire for families who rely on humanitarian support. The region’s vulnerability is exacerbated by pre-existing high levels of food insecurity and displacement among the population.

In summary, the recent M23 takeover has triggered a humanitarian crisis in Goma, with dramatic increases in food prices pushing many families into potential starvation. Although local markets are beginning to stabilize, the economic impact of the conflict has left many residents unable to afford basic necessities. Urgent humanitarian aid is essential to address the burgeoning hunger crisis, particularly for children and vulnerable women. The declaration of a ceasefire might provide much-needed relief for aid organizations to access affected populations.

Original Source: www.aljazeera.com