Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lusaka (Fides Service)- According to IRIN, the United Nations Integrated Regional Information Networks a humanitarian news agency covering sub-Saharan Africa, eight countries in central Asia and Iraq, unless more emergency funds are made available, Congolese and Angolan refugees in Zambia will face a terrible year in which food rations will be cut by 50%. On 23 December the UN World Food Programme WFP , the UN High Commission for Refugees UNHCR and the Zambian government appealed for 8.5 million US dollars to feed over 82,000 refugees.
Although WFP had a stable system of food aid for refugees up to last December, it has received no contributions for 2006. Fr. Michael Gallagher SJ, of the Regional Advocacy of JRS (Jesuit Refugees Service) Southern Africa said: “Zambia is stricken by famine with an estimated 2 million out of 11 million people without food. Government resources are insufficient for its own population so you can imagine the situation of refugees. At the same time the government sees the food shortage as a potential threat to security and is extremely concerned”.
“On the basis of previous experience I would say that many refugees will see the 50% cut in rations a way of saying they are no longer welcome in Zambia” Fr. Gallagher added. Since the 1970s Zambia has given shelter to numerous refugees from neighbouring countries.
Since the end of Angola’s long civil war in 2002, UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration have organised voluntary repatriation for more than 63,000 Angolans. Many other returned independently on their own. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/1/2006 righe 25 parole 292)
