NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — Congolese refugees living in Gihembe refugee camp in Gicumbi District have rejected 30 tonnes of maize flour given to them last Wednesday by the World Food Programme (WFP).

They allege that the donated maize flour is not fit for human consumption because it has decayed over time.

Following the rejection, a meeting was convened last Friday at the district in which members resolved to contact the National Bureau of Standards, to test the maize flour and recommend whether it was fit for consumption.

The meeting chaired by the District vice Mayor for social affairs, Eugenie Uwamahoro was attended by representatives of WFP, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), members of Refugee committees, Ministry of Local Government officials and Police.

"This meeting should find a lasting solution to the maize flour problem at the refugee camp,” Uwamahoro told members at the meeting.

However, Viateur Ngiruwonsanga, the WFP official, explained that the food had no problem but the refugees’ refusal was a deliberate move to have their diet changed because they have been used to food supplies of dry maize grains mixed with beans, which are now out of stock.

"These refugees don’t like maize flour and that is why they have hatched a plan to say it is decayed and contains stone particles,” said Ngiruwonsanga.

The refugees committee members present at the meeting insisted the maize flour is not fit for them.

"We don’t make a choice on what type of food is supplied to us because we are refugees, but we have a right on food fit for human consumption,” said one member.

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