According to the World Food Programme, more than 8 percent of the world's population – that is 673 million people – still suffer from hunger. The number is falling slightly globally, but remains above pre-pandemic levels. In contrast, the number continues to rise in Africa and Southeast Asia, including Cambodia.
Seventy percent of people suffering from hunger live in conflict-affected regions. People living in unstable conditions are unable to cultivate their fields, which severely impacts food production. Extreme weather events are on the rise in the Global South, destroying crops, threatening livelihoods, and claiming lives. This situation threatens to spiral out of control if the international community does not act quickly.
The economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic have not yet been overcome in many countries in the Global South, and high levels of government debt are placing an additional burden on these countries. The effects of the war in Ukraine are particularly noticeable in low-income countries. Food prices remain extremely high. People who have been displaced by war are particularly vulnerable to hunger and are increasingly dependent on scarce humanitarian aid.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, decades of conflict have led to more than seven million people being displaced within the country. According to the Center for Preventive Action, over 23 million people there—roughly a quarter of the population—live in a situation where their food supply is not fully secure. This makes the DR Congo the country most affected by food insecurity worldwide.
Another factor exacerbating the crisis is the extensive deposits of rare earths in the east of the country. Illegal trade in these raw materials also finances the war.
Instead of benefiting from the rich mineral resources, the population is at risk of being driven from their land and settlements by the expansion of mines. The growing demand for various metals—indeed, the greed for them—poses a deadly trap for the local people, one that they cannot overcome on their own. As long as international actors are involved in this system, little will change in the situation. Solutions to stop illegal trade are available, but multilateral agreements have so far failed.
Blanchard Ayinza Boke, the country coordinator for Connexio develop in the DR Congo, summarizes the effects of the global crises as follows: The country is heavily dependent on imports due to weak domestic production. Cities such as Kinshasa rely on imports for food. The entire country imports most industrial products because it has only a small industrial sector. The current crisis, which is also affecting gasoline prices and restricting the transport of goods and merchandise, is having negative consequences for the economy of the DR Congo and the social situation of its people.
The Trump administration's decisions have shown how quickly the humanitarian sector can fall into crisis, with the result that people are cut off from vital support. Gabriel Dikete Otshudi, health coordinator for the Episcopal Region of Central Congo, reports on the devastating effects in hospitals. For example, there is a shortage of HIV medication and testing facilities. HIV has by no means disappeared, but people living with the virus are now particularly at risk. The state promises to take over certain services, but this assistance is hardly noticeable.
The World Food Programme is issuing urgent appeals for aid, but due to a lack of funds, it must decide who will receive support and who will not. Given that enough food is produced worldwide, every death from hunger is an intolerable scandal. Not only the US, but also many other countries have cut their budgets for international cooperation.
Switzerland has also gone down this path: the budget available to Swiss aid agencies has been reduced by 10.5 percent. How the situation develops in 2026 depends on parliament. Politicians and the Swiss population would be well advised to allocate more, not less, funding to international cooperation. Security can only be guaranteed in the long term through a more just and inclusive world.
Even with fewer resources, Connexio hope and Connexio develop want to continue doing their utmost to promote a more just and inclusive world. Bishop Daniel Lunge Onashuyaka says that Connexio hope and Connexio develop are small organizations, but they are having a big impact in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
When asked what motivates him to continue working for a better world despite the many crises, Blanchard Ayinza Boke says: «It is the strong hope based on the Christian faith and on the belief that justice, truth, and goodness will one day triumph over evil. It is also the opportunity to work with international actors such as Connexio develop and make an impact, albeit on a smaller scale.»
The east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis characterized by ongoing violence, displacement and systemic state failure. For decades, numerous armed groups - including the M23 rebels - have been fighting for control of resource-rich areas in North and South Kivu. The civilian population is paying the price.
The war is a vicious circle of resource exploitation, ethnic tensions, and geopolitical interests—while the world looks away. Churches such as the Methodist Church provide emergency aid, but the funds are far from sufficient.
Looking away does not help. But with a donation, you can make a contribution to alleviating suffering.
In the DR Congo, violent conflicts, extreme food insecurity and the exploitation of raw materials are endangering the lives of millions. State aid is barely noticeable and international funding has been cut.
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