Zambia

The Zambian government has warned that a looming food crisis in the country’s refugee camps could cause unrest among the thousands of asylum-seekers from across the region. Susan Sikaneta, permanent secretary in the ministry of interior, said this week: “The security situation may become volatile, as refugees may resort to rioting … and there will also be an increased potential for sexual and gender-based violence and events related to sexual exploitation.” The UN World Food Program (WFP), which has been feeding about 33,500 vulnerable refugees housed in four camps, announced in November that it would be forced to end the program in January 2009, due to a lack of funding. (IRIN)