• The World Food Programme may pause food aid to millions by February due to a funding crisis.
• Over 3 million people are facing emergency levels of hunger in eastern DRC.
• The WFP currently receives only $150 million this year, sharply down from $600 million in prior years.
• Two airports in conflict zones remain closed, worsening access to aid.
• Ongoing fighting and humanitarian access issues exacerbate the situation for millions.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has raised alarms regarding a worsening hunger crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), announcing potential pauses in food aid due to a drastic funding shortfall. WFP's country director for the DRC, Cynthia Jones, stated that while the organization requires $350 million in funding to assist those in need, it has only received about $150 million this year. This situation may force the WFP to stop assistance and further reduce the number of people it can help, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Anadolu Agency.

The current humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by ongoing conflicts involving rebel groups such as the M23, which have been fighting for control in the region. The situation has left over 3.2 million people facing emergency levels of hunger, nearly double the figures from last year. Jones highlights, "One in three people in DRC’s eastern provinces are facing crisis levels of hunger or worse," as fighting continues to upend local communities and displace thousands, impacting food availability significantly, according to Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency.

The WFP has also called for the establishment of a humanitarian air corridor to facilitate aid delivery since two key airports in M23-controlled areas have been closed for months. This lack of access has hindered relief efforts drastically, with Jones stating the need for an urgent solution to prevent further deterioration of the already critical situation. The ongoing interruption in supplies means only a fraction of those in distress can receive assistance, a stark reality that underscores the urgent need for increased funding, as highlighted by Reuters and Anadolu Agency.