The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a severe food crisis, with over 26 million people requiring urgent food aid due to conflict, displacement, and climate shocks. Nearly half of Congolese children under five suffer from malnutrition, particularly in eastern provinces where violence is rampant, forcing farmers off their land. United Nations agencies like the World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) require hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to maintain crucial food and nutrition programs, as the current shortfall threatens to worsen the crisis and endanger millions of lives. The DRC’s large internally displaced population, coupled with limited resources, could lead to a further deterioration of the situation without immediate international support.
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A 20-year-old Palestinian woman, Marah Abu Zuhri, who was evacuated from Gaza to Italy due to severe malnutrition, has died in a Pisa hospital after arriving on a humanitarian flight. Her condition was described as a “very complex clinical picture” with “profound organic wasting,” and she suffered a sudden respiratory crisis and cardiac arrest. This tragic event highlights the dire situation in Gaza, where widespread starvation is occurring, with hundreds of malnutrition-related deaths reported. The Israeli military is also preparing to launch a new offensive to seize control of northern Gaza City, raising international alarm.
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Camels, integral to Somali culture, are now central to an agricultural revolution, specifically regarding milk production. Modern camel dairies, like Beder Camel Farm, are emerging, increasing yields through improved veterinary care, feed, and milking practices. This has led to the creation of camel milk yogurt, addressing nutritional gaps with higher vitamin content and benefits for lactose-intolerant consumers. The Somali government encourages investment in this growing industry, supporting initiatives to expand production, create jobs, and develop the full value chain.
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Medics have reported that thirteen children died last month in a displacement camp in East Darfur, Sudan, due to severe food shortages. The Sudan Doctors Network described the “deteriorating humanitarian conditions” and widespread malnutrition at the Lagawa camp, which is home to at least 7,000 people and has been subjected to attacks. This hunger crisis is a result of the ongoing civil war, which has crippled humanitarian networks and caused a collapse of the economy and social services. In addition to the famine, aid groups have warned of a cholera outbreak in Darfur, further worsening the humanitarian crisis.
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The Patient’s Friends Hospital in Gaza City is overwhelmed with malnourished children, with a growing number of fatalities, including the first deaths of children without pre-existing conditions. Medical professionals report a worsening of symptoms, with children too weak to move or cry, and key treatments are running out due to the ongoing blockade. At least 48 deaths related to malnutrition have occurred in the past three weeks, including both adults and children, a significant increase from previous months. The United Nations and health officials have documented these deaths, emphasizing the dire situation where the hunger has passed a tipping point into accelerating death.
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Since the conflict’s start, nearly all of Gaza’s two million-plus residents have been displaced, facing severe shortages of essential supplies and witnessing frequent fatalities during aid distribution attempts. The humanitarian crisis has intensified, with reports of 21 children dying from malnutrition and starvation and over 1,000 Palestinians killed while trying to obtain food aid. The UN and other international bodies have condemned the situation, citing the killing of civilians by Israeli forces. Additionally, recent Israeli military actions, including expanded ground operations and strikes on humanitarian facilities, have further exacerbated the suffering and led to a significant reduction in safe areas within Gaza.
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Mana’s canceled contracts will prevent roughly 300,000 children, primarily in Africa, from receiving life-saving RUTF nutritional paste. This decision contradicts claims that vital humanitarian aid would be unaffected by USAID restructuring. The canceled contracts impact not only the children but also American workers and farmers who produce the paste. The resulting surplus of RUTF, currently stored in Savannah, demonstrates the tangible consequences of these cancellations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker