Democratic Republic of the Congo

Planting of rice (north), maize (north/second) and yams is underway. Cassava (south) and maize (south/second) are in growth stage. Mixed rainfall patterns have been characterizing the last three dekads. Kwilu, accounting for 10.6% of the national cereal production, received 15% below the long-term average rainfall. In the south, above-average precipitation (+17%) is recorded in Haut-Katanga. Biomass remains below average in Haut-Katanga, Kwilu and Lualaba, where 30%, 25% and 60% of the active cropland is in poor vegetation status, respectively. According to UNHCR, more than 33,000 Congolese refugees spontaneously returned from Burundi to eastern DRC within a month following the reopening of the Burundi–DRC border on 23 February, with many arriving to find their homes destroyed and belongings looted. Initial assessments in Uvira and Fizi show families arriving with few belongings and in urgent need of shelter, basic household items, health care, and access to water and sanitation.