WFP suspends aid distribution in Darfur camp after threats

The World Food Program stopped distribution of monthly food rations to Hamadiya displaced camp in Zalingei yesterday after receiving threats.Staff received orders from their safety and security department that gunmen had threatened to attack the WFP office in Zalingei. Radio Dabanga learnt that staff involved in the planned distribution were withdrawn.

Consequently, the distribution of relief to the displaced, which began yesterday in Hamidiya Camp, was stopped. Program staff and officials were prevented from going to their offices today in Zalingei.

For their part, displaced people in Zalingei reacted with fear that the World Food Programme would suddenly halt distribution of food. The coordinator of IDP camps in Zalingei told Radio Dabanga that 38000 displaced people depend on the aid. He accused the government of using the visit of Dr. Ghazi Salah Al-Din, the official in charge of the Darfur file, to intimidate organizations to stop distribution of relief to the displaced people and then force them to evacuate the camps.