Bundibugyo "starvation" fears overstated

Humanitarian sources in Uganda on Wednesday discounted media reports in the country that displaced people in the western district of Bundibugyo were "faced with starvation." A recent upsurge in ADF attacks has resulted in a surge from the countryside into camps for internally-displaced people (IDPs) and continued insecurity could make the food situation critical, 'The Monitor' newspaper reported on Monday. However, a recent nutritional survey showed malnutrition in Bundibugyo to be as low or lower than most of Uganda, even after 8-10 months of displacement, and the current situation should not be overplayed, humanitarian officials told IRIN. Current insecurity would "make it more difficult for people to access food" but the WFP had done most of its December distribution - to some 18,000 people around Bundibugyo town and 87,000 in the surrounding district - before it was forced to suspend operations for security reasons, they added.