Food rations reduced in West Darfur camps

Ten West Darfur camps for the displaced have complained of a shortage of food, lack of drinking water, and deterioration of the health situation. One of the sheikhs of the camps told Radio Dabanga that the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in September reduced the monthly food rations. “In this month the organisation distributed three sacks of corn instead of six sacks per 40 displaced persons,” he said. “The ration of salt and lentils also has been reduced. Sugar and a ‘power food mix’ have not been distributed at all.” The sheikh added that the reduction of the food rations has created a lot of problems for the displaced and has worsened their health condition. The sheikh also reported about broken water pumps and wells that are not working in the camps.He appealed to organisations working in the humanitarian field for help in repairing them and to the WFP to reconsider the reduction of food rations. The sheikh pointed out that people are complaining about outbreaks of malaria, diarrhoea, allergic symptoms, fevers, especially among children and the elderly, while medicines and health services are lacking.“A lot of people are still living in the open as a result of heavy rain fall that destroyed their dwellings.” He appealed to the authorities and humanitarian organisations to provide them with tents and plastic sheets. File photo: Food ration distribution to the displaced in Darfur (Albert González Farran/UNAMID) Related: ‘Food shortages and suffering for 129,000 displaced in South Darfur’: HAC (5 September 2013) Sheikh, displaced concerned about food distribution in Darfur camps (2 June 2013) 10 West Darfur camps without food rations for 2 months (22 April 2103)