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Sudan refugees in Boro face food shortage

Refugees in South Sudan’s far north-west faces a food shortage amid complaints that aid groups failed to give food to a group of 37 families from Kafia Kingi. The 1764 refugees in Salam Camp live outside Boro Medina in Raja County of Western Bahr El Ghazal State.Chief Adam Ibrahim Hamid speaking to Radio Tamazuj from Salam camp in Boro Medina Raja County reported that his people are facing difficulties to get enough food to survive. He complained that they used to get sorghum but now Concern International which is responsible for distribution of food rations in the area, changed the hand-outs from sorghum to maize.The chief explained that seven people share one 50 kg bag per month. He also added that it is very expensive to take the maize for grinding. The chief appealed for the NGOs to increase the rations so that it can cover the full month.Abdalbass, a resident of Salam Camp, reported to Radio Tamazuj that refugees wanting flour have to sell half of the sack to get 20 kg of maize floor. He said that it is not correct that the organization gives out 50 kg rations but rather that the rations are less than 50kg.He further added that the ration designated by the organization was not enough to last a whole month.In Boro Medina there are also 37 households of people displaced from Kafia Kingi who are not getting any help from Concern International. According to Musa Shy, an enumerator of the state Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, the organization’s Juba headquarters has not yet given a green light to give IDPs the food rations.Hanna Abdallah, a mother of six children who fled from Kafia Kingi during the recent fight between SAF and SPLA and settled in Boro Medina accused Concern International of neglecting them. She appealed for WFP to consider them because they have no other help.Musa Khamis, a man displaced from Kafia Kingi explained that their situation is very bad and they are calling for immediate help. He further said they also need mosquito nets to protect their children from mosquito bites.Peter Nenebubu, County Secretary of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Raja town, informed Radio Tamazuj that his office had agreed earlier with WFP to give food rations to the mentioned 37 IDP households.He further added that his office and WFP had carried out an assessment of IDPs in Boro Medina and proved that these people are entitled to the food distribution.The secretary distanced himself from what is happening in Boro Medina but he acknowledged that his enumerator there, Musa Shy, had informed him by phone that the 37 households of IDPS are not yet given food by Concern International. The officer questioned why the IDPs had been registered if they are not to be given food.Photo by Radio Tamazuj: People displaced from Kafia Kingi living in Boro Medina in Raja County of South Sudan, 21 July 2012. 

July 23, 2012 BORO MEDINA

Refugees in South Sudan’s far north-west faces a food shortage amid complaints that aid groups failed to give food to a group of 37 families from Kafia Kingi. The 1764 refugees in Salam Camp live outside Boro Medina in Raja County of Western Bahr El Ghazal State.

Chief Adam Ibrahim Hamid speaking to Radio Tamazuj from Salam camp in Boro Medina Raja County reported that his people are facing difficulties to get enough food to survive. He complained that they used to get sorghum but now Concern International which is responsible for distribution of food rations in the area, changed the hand-outs from sorghum to maize.

The chief explained that seven people share one 50 kg bag per month. He also added that it is very expensive to take the maize for grinding. The chief appealed for the NGOs to increase the rations so that it can cover the full month.

Abdalbass, a resident of Salam Camp, reported to Radio Tamazuj that refugees wanting flour have to sell half of the sack to get 20 kg of maize floor. He said that it is not correct that the organization gives out 50 kg rations but rather that the rations are less than 50kg.

He further added that the ration designated by the organization was not enough to last a whole month.

In Boro Medina there are also 37 households of people displaced from Kafia Kingi who are not getting any help from Concern International. According to Musa Shy, an enumerator of the state Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, the organization’s Juba headquarters has not yet given a green light to give IDPs the food rations.

Hanna Abdallah, a mother of six children who fled from Kafia Kingi during the recent fight between SAF and SPLA and settled in Boro Medina accused Concern International of neglecting them. She appealed for WFP to consider them because they have no other help.

Musa Khamis, a man displaced from Kafia Kingi explained that their situation is very bad and they are calling for immediate help. He further said they also need mosquito nets to protect their children from mosquito bites.

Peter Nenebubu, County Secretary of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Raja town, informed Radio Tamazuj that his office had agreed earlier with WFP to give food rations to the mentioned 37 IDP households.

He further added that his office and WFP had carried out an assessment of IDPs in Boro Medina and proved that these people are entitled to the food distribution.

The secretary distanced himself from what is happening in Boro Medina but he acknowledged that his enumerator there, Musa Shy, had informed him by phone that the 37 households of IDPS are not yet given food by Concern International. The officer questioned why the IDPs had been registered if they are not to be given food.

Photo by Radio Tamazuj: People displaced from Kafia Kingi living in Boro Medina in Raja County of South Sudan, 21 July 2012.