Over half of the total 160,000 refugees in Zambia will facing food shortages next year because of lack of resources to feed them, Zambia Daily Mail reported Monday.

The World Food Program (WFP) has communicated to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that it will cut food rations to the refugees by 50 percent starting in January next year, and the food will then completely run out by March, unless donations are made immediately.

The urgency of the food aid has been highlighted by UNHCR regional representative to Zambia Ahmed Said Farah, who said the looming shortage will compromise the protection, nutrition and health of the refugees if donors do not act soonest.

"There will be increased morbidity, mortality and stunted growth," he said, adding that there will be increased social problems, such as prostitution, child labor and refugees may become uncontrollable, as a result of the food cuts.

Zambian Home Affairs Permanent Secretary Peter Mumba has also urged the donors to provide urgent funding.

Earlier this month, WFP and the Zambian government signed a new refugee food project agreement covering 2006 and 2007 with a combined budget of 17.9 million US dollars required.

However, no single contribution has been received for the new food project, according to WFP country director David Stevenson.

Source: Xinhua