WFP Warns of Imminent Food Crisis in Syria

The World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Monday that food aid across Syria will end in January due to a funding crisis that has already led to a reduction in its assistance program in the war-torn country. The programme stated that the record level of humanitarian needs worldwide has prevented donors from providing the same level of support. In September, WFP officials issued a warning, stating that the programme needs $134 million to provide food assistance for the next six months to combat hunger and malnutrition among 3.2 million people in Syria. In previous years, the programme provided food to 5.5 million people. The United Nations agency says that more than 12 million Syrians have fallen victim to hunger in a country where aid has already significantly decreased in recent years. However, WFP stated that it will continue to support families affected by natural disasters through smaller programs, while maintaining some child nutrition plans and supporting farmers' livelihoods. The agency noted that over the past ten years, it has spent three billion dollars on delivering 4.8 million metric tons of food, more than 300 million dollars in cash assistance, and 800 million dollars on goods and services.