GICUMBI – Food shortages have been reported at the Congolese refugee camp at Gihembe, Gicumbi district. The lapse is attributed to short supply of maize and beans.

Speaking at a local leaders’ assessment meeting last Friday, the Gicumbi district vice Mayor for Social Affairs, Eugenie Uwamahoro, who sounded the warning , appealed for food aid. 

"Congolese refugees risk starvation if food supplies are not procured for them urgently,” said Uwamahoro. 

The Ministry of Local Government representative at the camp, Mark Shakagabo, also acknowledged that there were food shortages among refugees. "We don’t know what to do next if the food crisis at the camp continues,” said Shakagabo.

The Northern Province Governor, Aime Bosenibamwe, who chaired the meeting which drew administrative executive organs in the province, asked the World Food Program (WFP)) representative at the meeting, to explain the cause of the food shortages.  

In his response, WFP official, Viateur Ngiruwonsanga, said WFP has run short of maize grain and beans supplies in the entire country. "As you are aware, refugees depend on maize grains and beans for their diet, which are now exhausted from our stocks,” he said.

He however, added that the WFP is doing its  best to replenish its depleted stocks.

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