By Jurugo Emmanuel Ogasto
South Sudanese refugees have been asked to take care of their children as (they) refugee children living in Maaji settlement of Ukusijoni Sub County in Adjumani district, have started exploring bushes in search of edible wild fruits as hunger continues to bite their households due to reduction in UN food ratio.
Speaking to No.1 Citizen Newspaper yesterday, Tombe Wilson, an activist living in Maaji two settlement said the food crisis situation poses risk to lives of the children especially from attack by wild animals.
“I am appealing to the parents to take care of these children, we have dangerous animals in bush which can injure these children,” he said.
Tombe also warned irresponsible parents who send their children to hunt for the wild fruits. “Some parents send their children to go and bring the fruits, this is a shame.”
The children are believed to be moving about 7 to 10 kilometres just to look for edible wild fruits.
Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) confirmed that there is still reduction in food ratio offered to the refugees by United Nations World Food program which they have attributed to donor fatigue.
Jogo Titus, the refugee desk officer for Adjumani district however urged refugees’ parents to use the rain season maximally in their small farms.
“You can plant some crops like maize, potatoes which can help,” he told the refugees.