Families residing in refugee camps, including those who recently escaped from Sudan, are now being provided with food packages after the World Food Programme halted distribution in June due to reports of significant diversions.

It is crucial to resume providing food aid to refugees. Within the past six months, approximately 35,000 individuals who fled from Sudan to Ethiopia are in urgent need of food assistance. Additionally, Ethiopia is currently hosting 850,000 refugees, primarily from Somalia, South Sudan, and Eritrea.

Recent statistics on hunger indicate that the food security of refugees has worsened in recent months, resulting in a rise in malnutrition, heightened tensions within the camps, and even dangerous border crossings.

Food is a necessity for survival.

Valerie Guarnieri, the Assistant Executive Director of the agency, stated that both WFP teams and partners have been tirelessly working to ensure timely delivery of food to those in dire need.

“Nutrition is crucial for refugees who are enduring incredibly difficult circumstances, and it is a relief that there are now protocols in place to resume essential aid.”

Deliveries will recommence in seven areas, supplying refugees with grains, legumes, cooking oil, and salt. Some individuals may receive a portion of their allotted aid as monetary support.

After significant changes were implemented in camps throughout Ethiopia, the resumption took place.

WFP is now solely in charge of twenty-four warehouses located in refugee camps. Additionally, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, will utilize the Global Distribution Tracking Tool to digitally enroll refugees for aid.

The WFP has enhanced feedback and reporting methods for refugees and has provided training to non-governmental organizations to oversee food distributions.

Assisting the vulnerable

Progress has been made by WFP in testing and implementing necessary measures to resume food distributions for millions of Ethiopians who are food insecure.

This includes working directly with communities to identify and target the most vulnerable people and digitally register them for assistance. 

The program also features improved methods for managing logistics and distributing aid, enabling accurate monitoring of each family receiving support.

Source: news.un.org