Roda Jock*, a 28-year-old South Sudanese refugee who fled to Ethiopia’s Gambella region in 2018, would not have ventured into the forest alone if there had been enough food at home for her and her family. But funding shortfalls have seen the monthly food assistance for over 750,000 refugees in Ethiopia cut by 50 per cent since June.

“In the camp, the food is not enough, so the only option for some women is to go to the forest to collect firewood to sell,” explained Roda.

Firewood is also often the only fuel source available to refugees to cook their food rations.

“As women, we face a lot of risks by going to the forest. You need to walk for at least four hours to arrive at a very distant place where you can gather some sticks to bring home.”

On her long walk to the forest that day, Roda was followed by a man who ambushed her and pulled her to the ground. She managed to slip out of his grasp, but he pursued her until she ran into a group of men who accompanied her back to the camp.

Although she escaped her attacker, she still feels traumatized by the incident, which left her feeling helpless.

Source : Al Jazeera English