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VOLUNTEERS and Chrysalis Academy staff were left in the lurch yesterday when food, apparently organised by the provincial government for refugees, did not arrive in time.

A volunteer who works at the academy says they had to scramble to feed people with what was left on the premises when the expected delivery did not arrive at 11:00. Another volunteer said that they could do nothing but "try and improvise".

Monday was the first day that food was to come from the provincial government instead of from volunteers. It was only at 16:00, says Chrysalis CEO Nomfundo Matroos, that the expected food was delivered by the Red Cross.

The head of Provincial Disaster Management, Doctor Hildegarde Fast, says that the province is now channelling food to displaced people through the Red Cross.

The majority of the 165 displaced people now at the academy come from various communities as far as Vredeburg.

The number of people has dwindled from the 260 who originally stayed there.

Chrysalis has been known as one of the most comfortable places for refugees.

A source close to the relief operation told People?s Post that even though they appreciate donations from businesses such as Woolworths, the provincial government does not want refugees to get too used to such levels of comfort, but rather to choose to move back into their communities.

They will now be "standardising" the food being handed out.

Concern has in the meantime been raised over the nutritional value of the food provided to the 900 displaced foreigners currently residing at the Soetwater safety site close to Kommetjie.

At the moment, provincial go?vernment provides two meals a day. The first meal, which is typically served between 10:00 and 11:00, consists of dry bread and fruit juice. No topping is provided other than that donated by volunteers and non-governmental organisations. The second meal, which is meant to be served between 17:00 and 18:00 but is not always delivered on time, typically consists of a protein and a starch. No fruit or vegetables are served with these meals, which are distri?buted by the elected leaders of the various nationalities within the camp.

Ward councillor Nicki Holderness, who has been working at the site since its formation, says she is especially concerned for the nutritional welfare of the children.

"The diet is all right for a week or two, but is not appropriate for an extended amount of time. We are really desperate for cereals that are suitable for children. Things like Pronutro, Weet-Bix, baby cereals and baby products are needed," she says.

Dr Kevin Lentin, a practising chiropractor who specialises in functional medicine and clinical nutrition, agrees with Holderness, saying that the current servings will keep the body going as a temporary emergency measure but are nutritionally inadequate in the long term.

Lentin says there is no question that the absence of fruit and vegetables was a nutritional shortcoming. "Every plate of food should ideally comprise roughly 25% proteins, 25% carbohydrates and 50% fruit and vegetables."

To date, large food donations have been made by the Muslim Judicial Council, as well as the Woolworths and Pick n Pay branches in Longbeach Mall and the Pick n Pay in Sunvalley Mall. Anyone who would like to donate food can do so either through these Pick n Pays or by taking the food to the site.

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