South Sudanese arrivals in Sudan’s White Nile State wait in a shaded area for registration and assistance at Al Waral site on 12 April 2017 (UNHCR Photo)
South Sudanese refugee women have staged protests outside the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Sudan’s White Nile State, saying that cuts to a food ration program are unfair.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj from Alagaya refugee camp this afternoon, several refugee women said rations are being cut in half by the relief organization.
Aliza John Jok, a women leader at the camp, said: ''What happened is that yesterday we were invited to come to have durra on Monday. Today morning we came to take our ration, but we were told that the food ration has been cut in half.''
Aliza says they would continue protesting in the camp until their voices are heard by the relief agency.
Angelina Simon, another refugee woman, said: ''We were hoping to have our ration without cuts this morning, but the cut came as a surprise to us. The women decided to stage protests because they are unhappy with what happened.''
According to Angelina, many protesting refugee women have decided to return to their country.
Rebecca James, a refugee in the camp, said: ''We are tired of this situation; we do not know where to go. Every day we wake up with surprises. The food ration given today is not enough.''
The UN United Nations aid agency in While Nile State could not immediately be reached for comment.
South Sudan’s refugee crisis remains the largest in Africa, with over 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries.
In June, the UN food relief agency warned that further food ration cuts were imminent for refugees as humanitarian needs multiply around the world while funding struggles to keep pace.
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