The Wall Street Journal highlights the dire situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where millions are on the brink of famine as the M23 rebel group fails to consolidate its hold on the region. The ongoing conflict has led to severe food shortages, exacerbated by the group's actions, which have displaced local farmers and hindered food imports. With many shops running empty, the scarcity of basic food items has driven prices of meat, milk, grains, and vegetables to alarming levels.

Residents in Goma, the city's largest urban area overtaken by M23 about a year ago, are particularly affected, with reports indicating that the group has forced farmers from their lands. The consequence of this displacement has been significant food waste, with crops left unharvested. The continuous blockade of food imports by the M23 adds to the community's despair, leaving shelves devoid of essentials and causing desperation among the residents, who struggle to find affordable food amidst soaring prices.

Medical professional Noella Amisi from Goma shares her experiences of the increasingly challenging conditions, revealing how desperate the situation has become. After receiving a small amount of money from her husband in Kinshasa, she dedicated hours to searching for food in the city without success. Her story reflects the broader struggles faced by many families in the region, who are doing everything possible to provide for their children amid this escalating humanitarian crisis.