UN reduces Darfur food supplies due to banditry

April 17, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – The UN World Food Programme announced today that it will cut monthly food supply in Darfur starting from next May, because of attack by armed bandits against its trucks.

In May, the cereal ration will be cut in half to 225 grams per person per day, pulses will be cut in half to 30 grams and sugar by half to 15 grams. This will reduce the daily kilocalorie value of the ration by 40 per cent (down to 1,242 k/cal per day from the recommended rate of 2,156 k/cal).

The agency said 60 WFP-contracted trucks have been hijacked in the western Sudanese region since the start of the year, with 39 still missing and 26 drivers unaccounted for. One driver was killed in Darfur last month, it added.

“Attacks on the WFP food pipeline are an attack on the most vulnerable people in Darfur. We call on all parties to protect the access to food,” said Josette Sheeran, WFP’s Executive Director.

At this time of year, WFP trucks should be delivering 1,800 metric tons of food daily to Darfur to supply warehouses ahead of the rainy season, due to begin next month. But deliveries have dropped to less than 900 tons per day.

“The Government of Sudan provides police escorts for convoys on the main routes, but the frequency is not enough to maintain the food pipeline,” said Kenro Oshidari, WFP Representative in Sudan, adding that a meeting is planned to increase the convoys.

“We’re appealing to the rebel factions and their commanders who operate in other parts of Darfur to ensure security on the roads and to respect the neutrality of all people involved in the humanitarian effort,” Oshidari said.

In March, more than 2.4 million people received WFP food assistance in Darfur. The target number is expected to go up progressively to about three million during the rainy season from May to September, also known as the pre-harvest ‘hunger gap,’ when last year’s agricultural stocks are depleted and there is less access to food in the market.

(ST)