Surviving violent conflict: Food insecurity coping strategies in conflict-affected settings in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Violent and protracted conflict has been a prevalent and recurring phenomenon in many parts of the DRC. Such conflicts continue to affect household's food security in various ways. Food insecurity in conflict zones is a major concern that requires an in-depth understanding of coping strategies adopted by households. However, this dimension is often neglected in the existing literature. This Research Paper fills this gap by exploring household responses to food insecurity in conflict settings in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), more specifically in the Minembwe Plateau. Qualitative data were collected from July to August 2023 from three localities in the high plateau, a region affected by violent protracted conflict since 2017. Thematic analyses through a semi-structured interview guide and storytelling, involving 25 respondents revealed a wide range of coping strategies, both formal and informal, short- and long-term. Some of the coping strategies adopted reflected those informed in the global literature. However, certain strategies were unique and reported as conflict-driven coping strategies. Furthermore, several strategies, while vital to household survival, also contributed to the perpetuation of existing conflict and exposure to violence. How coping strategies emerge in the context of conflict, how they fuel existing conflicts, and what effective interventions to mitigate food insecurity in such an environment are key questions that need further critical investigation in different contexts.