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WFP to Cut Refugee Food Rations in Uganda for Lack of Cash

Lisa Schlein

   GENEVA - The World Food Program says for the second time in a year, it
   will have to cut food rations for more than one million refugees in
   Uganda due to a shortage of cash.

   The U.N.'s food agency is running a shortfall of nearly $96 million for
   its refugee operation in Uganda. It says no refugees will go hungry if
   international donors dig deeply into their pockets and come up
   immediately with the cash the agency needs to feed them.

   Otherwise, World Food Program spokesman Tomson Phiri warns, 1.26
   million refugees will have their monthly relief cash and food rations
   cut by 40 percent. He says these cuts go into effect in February.

   "Most refugees have fled conflict from South Sudan, the Democratic
   Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Burundi," said Phiri. "While this year
   has been particularly hard for everyone, it has been incredibly
   difficult for refugees."

   The anticipated cuts will further weaken an already vulnerable
   population. The WFP received only half the money it needed for its
   humanitarian operation this past year, so it was obliged to cut rations
   in April.

   This coincided with the COVID-19 lockdown, which increased the need for
   more assistance.

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