At the International Widows & Orphans Fund (IWOF), we witness firsthand the devastating toll hunger takes on children, widows, and communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As a Canadian-registered charity rooted in compassion and action, we believe in showing up where others cannot. Here’s how we see the crisis and how we respond.

The Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

• A record 28 million people now face acute food insecurity in the DRC, which is an increase of 2.5 million in just three months, due to escalating conflict in the east, inflation, and shrinking markets. Of those, 3.9 million are experiencing emergency-level hunger (IPC Phase 4).
• In March 2025, nearly 24 million people were classified at IPC Phase 3 (“crisis”) and approximately 3.9 million at Phase 4 (“emergency”).
• Conflict, especially between government forces and rebel groups in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, has displaced over 7.8 million people, making farming and market access extremely difficult.
• With nearly 75% of Congolese living on less than US $2.15/day, food remains inaccessible even when available.
• Hunger in the DRC is part of a broader trend—across Africa, more than 295 million people faced crisis-level hunger in 2024, up 5% from 2023. Funding shortfalls in 2025 could push millions more into starvation.

What IWOF Is Doing: Our Role and Impact

Grace Orphanage

Since 2013, IWOF has supported Grace Orphanage in eastern DRC. What began with 38 children hiding in fear now houses 35 war-orphaned boys and girls, offering shelter, nutrition, education, and healthcare in a challenging environment.

Feeding Families Weekly

IWOF currently provides food for over 400 people every week—widows, orphans, and vulnerable neighbors—with 100% of donations going directly to those in need, supported entirely by volunteers.

Toward Sustainability

To reduce reliance on relief and increase food security, we recently purchased two acres of fertile land. Our goal is to build a permanent facility to house 60 children, install a well for clean water, and start a farm to grow food locally.

We mobilize Canadian volunteers to support on-ground partners in Congo with handling grants, finances, governance, and tax compliance,  so local teams can focus on frontline care and community rebuilding.

Why This Matters: Human Impact and Structural Challenges

• Many Congolese, especially elderly widows like Kanyere Muliwavyo, depend entirely on the kindness of neighbors just to feed their grandchildren. Food literally rots in fields as insecurity keeps farmers from planting and harvesting.
• Lack of clean water, electricity, and government support makes daily survival even harder. Widows and orphans often live without basic sanitation or health care
• Children suffer chronic malnutrition. One in four is malnourished, particularly in areas experiencing repeated conflict and displacement.

IWOF’s Path Forward: How You Can Help

At IWOF, we’re committed to both immediate relief and long-term resilience. Your support enables us to:

• Expand food distribution to orphaned children and local families.
• Build a permanent Orphanage with a well and self-sufficient farm.
• Empower widows and orphans with shelter, education, and hope.

Our model has no administrative overhead and every dollar you give goes directly to those we serve. We rely entirely on volunteer effort and genuine partnerships to provide accountability, efficiency, and trust.

Our Call to You

This hunger crisis is urgent but together, we can respond. By donating, fundraising, or joining our effort, you can bring nourishment, shelter, and dignity to those who have suffered the most. In a place where conflict, climate shocks, inflation, and displacement intersect, building hope takes action.

iWOF stands beside war-orphaned children and widows in eastern DRC, working day after day to feed bellies, educate hearts, and nurture futures. Will you join us to ensure hunger never defines their tomorrow?

Keep the Conversation Going

At IWOF, we know hunger doesn’t exist in isolation. It affects education, safety, and the future of entire communities. That’s why we invite you not only to read and share this story, but to take action with us. Whether you support our Back to School 2025 campaign to help orphans return to class with full stomachs and strong minds, or choose to donate directly to our hunger relief efforts, every gesture matters. 

Explore more about our mission at IWOF and help us raise awareness by talking about the hunger crisis in Congo with your networks. Together, we can create lasting change, one meal, one child, and one act of compassion at a time.