Rising rice and cassava prices weigh on households in Kindu

In Kindu, in Maniema Province, prices for several food staples have risen over the past two weeks. A roughly 500-gram cup of rice now costs 2,400 Congolese francs, up from 1,400, while a basin of cassava has risen from 25,000 to 40,000 francs. Vendors attribute shortages in the markets to the planting season, when some producers are occupied with field work; a sack of charcoal has also climbed from 40,000 to as much as 60,000 francs. Adeline Kakwala, a homemaker, says her limited budget makes it difficult to feed her children and calls on the authorities to help.