JUBA COUNTY, Sept. 7, 2024 — Refugees at the Gorom Refugee Settlement Camp near Juba City demonstrated Friday against the reduction of food aid by the United Nations, expressing fears for their survival.
Olang Okoth, a community leader from the Anyuak Community of Ethiopia, told Radio Tamazuj that the UNHCR and WFP have reduced food rations for over 3,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Sudan, endangering their lives. According to Okoth, only 160 households, comprising 1,049 individuals, will continue receiving food, leaving the remaining refugees without aid.
“The people are going to die automatically because there is no way that they can get money to buy enough food,” Okoth said, highlighting the dire impact of South Sudan’s inflation on their ability to purchase food. He called on the government and UNHCR to clarify their plans for the affected refugees.
Dut Akol Kuol, Director General for Protection at the South Sudan Commission for Refugee Affairs, stated they are investigating the situation, noting that the cuts appeared to target Ethiopian refugees disproportionately. Attempts to reach UNHCR for comment were unsuccessful.
