WFP reduces food assistance to Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The World Food Program (WFP) announced on Tuesday that it would cut food and cash-for-food assistance for nearly half of the 5.5 million people it supports in Syria from July due to the fast-depleting funds.
The move is a last resort that will harshly impact up to 2.5 million people dependent on what are already half-rations on which they can barely survive, the WFP said.
The organization noted to the urgent need of a minimum of $180 million to avert cuts and continue providing food assistance for the Syrian people at its current level until the end of the year.
“Instead of scaling up or even keeping pace with increasing needs, we’re facing the bleak scenario of taking assistance away from people, right when they need it the most,” said WFP country director for Syria, Kenn Crossley.
“Further reductions in ration size are impossible. Our only solution is to reduce the number of recipients,” he added. “The people we serve have endured the ravages of conflict, fleeing their homes, losing family members and their livelihoods. Without our assistance, their hardships will only intensify.”
Crossley pointed out that they have the capacity and solutions to reduce dependency on humanitarian assistance and make a lasting difference in people’s lives. “It’s critical that we keep providing life-saving food assistance to help families get through each week and each month, while we work on interventions that help people rebuild their lives and get back standing on their feet.”
He said they count on their “partners to prevent irreversible harm to the Syrian people’s future.” adding, “The time to act is now.”
Since 2015, food insecurity levels in Syria have increased by over 50 percent from 8 to 12.1 million people in 2022 – out of a population of over 20 million, according the WFP. Syria’s conflict-rooted food insecurity has in recent years been exacerbated by global events such as the economic collapse of Lebanon, the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and February’s earthquakes.
As the Syrian pound falls to record lows, the first quarter of this year saw the price of a standard food basket of essentials rise by 10 percent. This is almost four times the average wage of a schoolteacher.