Kinshasa, March 30th, 2026 (CPA).– The World Food Program (WFP), through its Country Director, announced its intention to build on its humanitarian response to strengthen local food systems as part of the upcoming Country Strategic Plan (CSP), during a workshop opened Monday in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). “As part of the upcoming Country Strategic Plan, WFP will rely on its humanitarian response to strengthen local food systems by encouraging local production and procurement for in-kind distributions, with quality nutritious products, as well as cash transfer and voucher programs adapted to specific contexts,” said David Stevenson, WFP Representative and Country Director in the DRC. On this occasion, he noted that WFP and its teams in the DRC have demonstrated resilience, agility and the ability to deliver results, even in complex contexts. “The year 2026 marks the arrival of new leadership and renewed commitment to governance and accountability at the highest level, with the objective of continuously improving the quality and effectiveness of our programs and implementing humanitarian solutions that concretely improve living conditions while strengthening the dignity and autonomy of the populations we serve,” he said. According to Mr. Stevenson, humanitarian needs in the country are increasing dramatically, even though the DRC has immense potential to feed the entire continent and beyond.
Sustainable solutions for the benefit of Congolese populations
For his part, Daniel Epembe, Secretary General for Planning, stressed that food security is not only a humanitarian imperative but also a major strategic axis for stability, economic growth and social cohesion in the DRC. Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State in charge of Planning and Development Aid Coordination, he noted that the DRC is facing a particularly worrying situation, with nearly 27 million people living in acute food insecurity, including 3.9 million in emergency situations.
“This workshop constitutes an essential step in the process of alignment and coherence between national priorities and the interventions of our technical and financial partners, particularly those of WFP, whose role is decisive in addressing food and multidimensional challenges,” he added. The workshop, focused on the formulation of the Country Strategic Plan, was attended by Matthew Hollingworth, Assistant Executive Director of WFP on mission in the DRC; Damien Mama, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program and Acting Resident Coordinator; as well as representatives of the Government, United Nations agencies, technical and financial partners, partner NGOs and WFP teams. The initiative is part of a consultative, inclusive and evidence-based approach aimed at strengthening the impact of food security and nutrition actions in the DRC.