The World Food Programme (WFP) has initiated the resumption of food distributions to nearly 900,000 refugees in Ethiopia, marking a significant milestone after a comprehensive overhaul of its refugee operations.
This development is particularly significant for families residing in refugee camps, including recent arrivals who fled from Sudan. They are now receiving essential food parcels for the first time since WFP temporarily halted food distributions in June due to concerns over large-scale diversions.
The reinstatement of food assistance for refugees is of utmost importance, given the dire circumstances. Approximately 35,000 individuals who have sought refuge in Ethiopia from Sudan over the past six months are in urgent need of food support. Furthermore, Ethiopia is home to an additional 850,000 refugees, primarily from Somalia, South Sudan, and Eritrea.
Recent hunger data underscores the deteriorating food security situation among refugees in the region. This has led to heightened levels of malnutrition, increased tensions within refugee camps, and the perilous undertaking of unsafe border crossings by some individuals.
The resumption of food distributions by the World Food Programme is not only a lifeline for the vulnerable refugee populations but also a critical step towards addressing the pressing humanitarian needs in Ethiopia.
