The Situation:
Food rations provided to the Darfuris in the refugee camps in Eastern Chad have been severely reduced from the World Food Program’s recommended 2,100 calories per person/per day to approximately 800 calories—a dangerously deficient amount that is a threat to the survival and safety of the refugees. Some refugees report that they receive closer to 250-500 calories per person/per day.
Surprisingly, reports on levels of malnutrition are mixed. While our colleagues who have visited the camp do see signs of poor nutrition, such as children with distended bellies and orange hair, there are some reports which indicate that the number of people experiencing malnutrition hasn’t risen yet. While we are skeptical of this assessment, and it is unclear how refugees are maintaining a sufficient nutrition level. We are concerned that refugees may be resorting to negative coping mechanisms. Are women forced into prostitution? Are children forced into child labor, or at the very least, must older children stay out of school to care for younger children to free up the adults to look for work? JWW is developing a research plan to answer questions such as these. Even if refugees are successfully supplementing their rations currently, without robust investment in sustainable projects that would allow for the refugees to be more self sufficient, they will continue to be at risk.
Our most recent evaluation of our Solar Cooker Project indicated that the cuts are having a direct impact on the women’s use of the solar cookers. Many women are forced to leave the camps daily, despite various dangers, in search of food, or in an effort to make money to buy food to supplement their rations. The current food crisis is undermining the foundational purpose of the SCP—to minimize trips outside the camps and keep women safe. There have been reports of increased domestic violence in response to the food insecurity as well. Traditionally, women are responsible for providing food in the home, and some men are lashing out at their wives due to the food shortages.
JWW’s Response:
As individuals, and even as an organization, we cannot make a dent in the food crisis financially – we must look to the international donor community to increase the funding. We are targeting the United States Government, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the World Food Program, through high-level and grassroots advocacy efforts, to demand that the rations be restored to 2,100 calories per person per day. You can join us by signing the Restore 2100 petition.
Any increase in rations will likely be temporary given the myriad refugee crises around the world and limited supplies. Therefore, a shift from humanitarian response to sustainable development activities is needed, which is essential for a protracted refugee crisis such as this. Programs must be developed that provide the refugees with opportunities to support themselves, and JWW, with our partners, is leading the charge on this front. Together, we are working to devise new and sustainable solutions to meet the Darfuri refugees’ most pressing human security needs and assist them in becoming more self sufficient. We are advocating for the international community to implement development projects in the region, and we are looking for new projects JWW can support in this arena (e.g. income-generating projects and/or crop-growing projects that address sexual violence issues). We will keep our community updated with any developments.
For more information:
- Download JWW’s “Food Crisis in Brief” flier.
- Read i-ACT’s report, “Refugee Rations: Acute Food Security Concerns Among Darfur Refugees in Eastern Chad.”
- Read Refugees International’s field report, “Sudanese Refugees in Chad: Passing the Baton to No One.”