Food Assistance to conflict-affected populations in DRC -World Food Programme 2011

March 29 2011 - Despite an improvement of relations between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its neighbours the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) continues to terrorize and displace populations in Haut-Uélé and Bas-Uélé districts in Oriental Province and surrounding areas. There are approximately 235 000 displaced persons living with host communities while another 30 000 live in camps. As a result of the insecurity refugees internally displaced persons (IDPs) and local communities have experienced reduced agricultural output and a reduction in food security. This has had a negative impact on households’ food consumption and nutrition status. CIDA's contribution is helping the World Food Programme (WFP) to address the emergency food assistance needs of populations affected by the insecurity. Activities focus on stabilizing acute malnutrition rates among target populations improving food consumption among refugees IDPS and host communities and stabilizing enrolment in WFP-assisted schools.