In several East and West African countries, the United Nations had to cut food rations for refugees due to increased demand and lack of funds at the same time. The UN today announced that three-quarters of refugees in East Africa who are being served by the World Food Program (WFP) have had their rations reduced by up to 50%. Refugees in Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda are the most affected.
Partially “considerably” reduced rations
“We are being forced to make this heartbreaking decision to cut food rations for refugees who depend on us for their survival,” said WFP Executive Director David Beasley. The available resources could not keep up with the growing global demand for food, he justified the measure.
In West Africa – especially in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger – WFP has reduced rations “significantly”. The problem is imminent in Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, WFP warned.
War in Ukraine worsens situation
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has significantly increased the global refugee crisis and the risk of famine, as not only have six million more civilians fled conflict zones, but commodity prices, especially grain, have soared. Because of the war, Ukraine, as a major supplier of grain, can only export comparatively small amounts.