Climate Risks to Resilience & Food Security in Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance Geographies: Democratic Republic of the Congo

This profile provides an overview of climate risks to food security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including how climate change will impact agriculture, livestock, fisheries, water resources, human health, and natural resources management. The profile is focused on the USAID priority food security investment regions of Kasai, Kasai-Central, and Tanganyika. Also included is information on sector impacts and vulnerabilities to climate change, the climate policy context, and ongoing climate change and food security projects in the DRC. 

Climate extremes are a major threat to resilience and food security in the DRC, where livelihoods and economies are highly dependent on agriculture. The country is already experiencing increased annual temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, including flash flooding and prolonged dry spells. Projections indicate that these climate hazards will continue to intensify. These climate change impacts disproportionately affect communities living in vulnerability, including women and youth - increasing their risk of food insecurity, poverty, health problems, violence, and displacement.