A local official in a rebel held part of South Sudan’s Upper Nile state has raised concerns about need for food distribution to displaced people in the area.
Dukhan Jundit, the acting secretary for information and media in Sobat State, which was declared by the rebels who control the area and comprises parts of Ulang and Nasir counties and other areas, said there has been no food distribution in the area since March.
He called upon the World Food Programme to “urgently” air drop food or send supplies by river, adding that some areas did not receive food for almost all of last year.
Reached for comment by Radio Tamazuj, WFP spokesperson Challiss McDonough said: “Distributions are ongoing in at least six areas of Ulang and Nasir counties now, and two others were completed last week.”
She said WFP assesses areas each month to determine which places are of highest vulnerability and in need before sending food.
“The size of the rations and the frequency of delivery of food is determined by a combination of factors, including the security environment, physical access, safety and protection issues for the population, logistical capacity, comparable needs in other areas, and relief food supplies and resources,” she explained.