ABSTRACT This study assessed the influence of climate variability on household food security in Masisi, North Kivu Province, DR.Congo. The following objectives guided the study: i) to assess the impact of climate variability on the food availability of the households in Masisi, DRC; ii) to evaluate the impact of climate variability on food accessibility of the households in Masisi, DRC; and iii) to assess the impact of climate variability on food utilization of the households in Masisi, DRC; and This study used a cross-sectional survey design. The target population was 300 participants and the sample size was 171 respondents who included community members and local village councilors. The study used simple random and purposive sampling to select the participants. Questionnaire, interview guide and document review were the instruments of the study. Data was analysed using frequency, percentages, mean, and linear regression analysis. The study revealed that climate variability significantly impacts on food availability at Masisi teritorry (Adjusted R Square=0.467, p=0.00). In addition, the study revealed that climate variability significantly impacts on food accessibility at Masisi teritorry (Adjusted R Square=0.366, p=0.00). Similarly, the study revealed that climate variability significantly impacts on food utilization at Masisi teritorry (Adjusted R Square=0.475, p=0.00). Lastly, the study revealed that the adaptation strategies employed by the households against climate variability include among others: receiving an education about climate variability, adopting early planting, diversifying crop and animal production, adopting the use of water harvesting and storage techniques, and planting weed tolerant crop varieties. The study concluded that climate change significantly affect food security. The study made the following recommendations: the local communities and households should adopt adaptation strategies such as promoting home gardens and small animal husbandry, improving food preservation and home or community processing technologies such as community silos; farmers should adopt the use of modified crops that have the capacity to resist natural occurrences and sudden climatic shocks curbing the pressure on the environment and in turn increasing the production of food without getting affected by climate; and the local government of Masisi teritorry with the support of the central government and donor communities should build permanent roads and bridges that are strong enough to withstand flooding during rainy seasons and dust during drought seasons.
