Blue Nile refugees in Tongo Camp in Ethiopia are suspicious of delayed food distribution by humanitarian authorities, saying they now suffer from a lack of food and other services.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj yesterday several refugees complained of a shortage of food this month. They claim their rations ran out entirely by 18 January.
Community leader (omda) Mohamed Fadel Mullah expressed concern that Administration for Refugees Affair (ARA) would further delayed the distribution of food rations.
He said that some people working with the ARA hinted that the distribution of food ration would be delayed a bit and the quantity of the ration may also be reduced.
“I hear from some Ethiopians that food rations will be distributed on Monday but this time wheat will not be distributed due to its shortage in the stores,” he explained.
The community leader reiterated that the refugees are living in poor conditions, which caused many of them to resort to taking manual labour jobs such as fetching straw for sale.
“Cases of malnourishment have been recorded among the children due to inadequate nutritious food,” he added.
He called on the international community and the organizations operating in the area to provide food and other services to them, saying the situation could deteriorate if food is not distributed on time.
According to data on the UNCHR website, there are 10,572 people registered at Tongo Refugee Camp. The total refugee population in the wider Assossa area is nearly 40,000 with most at three other formal camps and others settled among the host community.
Photo: Bambasi camp, Ethiopia (Yann Libessart/MSF)