Recurrent climatic shocks such as seasonal flooding routinely displace populations and contribute to food insecurity throughout the Republic of the Congo (RoC). Between September 2022 and January 2023, heavy rains and strong winds produced floods affecting nearly 165,000 people and destroying approximately 7,000 residences across Cuvette, Likouala, Plateaux, and Sangha departments, according to relief actors. Flooding in late 2022 and early 2023 exacerbated the impacts of previous floods in the four departments during October 2019 and October 2021, including damage to critical infrastructure such as health centers, roads, and schools; food insecurity; population displacement; and safe drinking water shortages.
USAID supports the UN World Food Program (WFP) to implement life-saving food assistance programs in the RoC. USAID also funds the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to treat and prevent the most severe instances of wasting—the deadliest form of malnutrition—in in Brazzaville, Likouala, Pointe-Noire, and Pool departments, in addition to strengthening the RoC’s national capacity to implement programs to address malnutrition. USAID supports a regional rapid response program with partner organizations Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Congo to provide emergency mobile response targeting people affected by flooding with multipurpose cash assistance and water, sanitation, and hygiene support.
