WFP food aid traded freely in Medan city

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan

David S. was surprised when his wife brought home cans of food with World Food Programme (WFP) labels on them.

He immediately picked up the cans and was astonished to read "Produced by Thai Union Frozen Products Public Co. Ltd. Packaged for the United Nations World Food Programme. Date of production 06/2005."

The cans did not have the Food and Drug Supervisory Board, Ministry of Health or Ministry of Trade stickers usually found on products sold to the public.

David assumed the canned food, which his wife bought at Mandala market, were intended for victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and Nias, North Sumatra.

"This must be theft, otherwise how could such items be sold freely at markets? There must be a group knowingly selling aid in markets. It should be investigated," David told The Jakarta Post.

His wife, Ismiati, said she bought three cans of sardines from a trader at the market for Rp 10,000 (US$1).

"I was initially hesitant to buy the canned food. It's the first time I've seen such products sold at the market. But I was curious," said Ismiyati, who lives on Jl. Denai, Medan.

Canned sardines in tomato sauce, donated by the WFP for earthquake and tsunami victims in Aceh and Nias, have been freely available at various markets in Medan for quite some time, such as at Mandala and Medan Central markets. Traders sell the canned food for Rp 3,000 to Rp 5,000 per can.

One trader at the Medan Central market, J. Situmorang, said she did not know when the WFP food relief products first became available at the markets, but said she had been selling the canned food for a month.

"A man, claiming to be a trader, sold me the canned food last month. He also sold it to other traders, who bought it at lower prices than other brands of canned sardines. I bought about 20 cans for a trial," said Situmorang, adding that she would not recognize the man if she were to see him again.

The official in charge of receiving foreign aid for earthquake and tsunami victims, Nurlisa Ginting, when asked for confirmation on Tuesday, said she was well aware of the circulation of relief food aid in the markets, but there had been no complaints from the WFP. Nurlisa said her office would immediately coordinate with the WFP to investigate the matter.

"This (irregularity) cannot be tolerated because it involves foreign parties. It would shame us if food aid is being sold by irresponsible people wanting to take advantage of the situation. We will probe the matter together with the WFP soon," Nurlisa told the Post.

It is the first time reports of food aid being diverted for commercial purpose in Medan city has surfaced.