(Ecofin Agency) - The World Food Program (WFP) announced this week it is tripling aid for displaced people in Ituri, DR Congo.

According to spokesperson Hervé Verhoosel, the plan is a response to the malnutrition crisis in the country. With more than 13 million people (including 5 million children) being food insecure, the crisis in DR Congo is the worst, after that in Yemen.

WFP says this situation is due to an increase in clashes and displacements, the growing food prices and the lack of income for households in this country with more than 60 million people declared poor.

Through this measure, the UN food agency is targeting 300,000 displaced, from about 116,000 currently. It plans to raise $155 million by the end of the year to finance operations in Ituri; the country’s region with the worst recorded Ebola virus outbreak.

As a reminder, the World Bank said last month it will disburse about $500 million to address the food crisis in DR Congo. According to this institution, 42% of children in the country suffer from malnutrition.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou