Leaders engage WFP after it suspends food distribution in Bentiu IDP camp

Leaders of internally displaced persons in Bentiu camp held meeting on Monday with staff of the World Food Programme  (WFP) to resume distribution of food.

This comes after WFP announced suspension of food distribution to IDPs for four months.

Mr Chap Wuon Biet, chairperson of the high committee in Bentiu IDP camp, told Juba Echo that they were not notified prior to the suspension of food distribution by WFP.

“The reason why residents in the IDP camp act aggressively is because WFP did not give notification ahead of time before suspending food distribution,” Biet said.

He warned that people will starve as they lack other alternative sources of food.

“If there is no food for the period of four months, there will be malnutrition and starvation,” he said.

The WFP field office in Unity state, said the decision was taken due to funding shortfall.

It said the food they had earlier distributed to IDPs was for seven months period that elapsed in July.

“We are already facing hunger; we have organized huge community demonstration to compel the humanitarian agencies to provide us with assistance,” Jamah Gatpan, Bentiu IDP camp elder said.

Nyakuola Chiok, a women leader in the camp, said they plan to demonstrate on the streets to demand WFP to rescind the decision to suspend food distribution.

 “As women representatives we are ready to demonstrate against World Food Program’s decision,” she said.