21,000 Syrian refugees will not receive their monthly food aid: WFP

Jordan

Published: 2021-06-03 21:13

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 19:19


21,000 Syrian refugees will not receive their monthly food aid: WFP
21,000 Syrian refugees will not receive their monthly food aid: WFP

The United Nations (UN) World Food Program (WFP) warned Thursday, that 21,000 Syrian refugees will not receive their monthly food aid, starting July, due to a lack of funding.

In a press release issued by its Amman office, the WFP said that recent contributions from donor countries helped to avoid large-scale cuts that would have affected a larger number of refugees.

But, funding in the current situation is insufficient to meet the food needs of all refugees in Jordan.

The WFP urgently needs $58 million to continue providing monthly food assistance to half a million refugees until the end of the year, according to the statement.

“Tough times call for tough action,” said the WFP Country Director and Resident Representative in Jordan, Alberto Correia Mendes.

“We have to make some choices to prioritize current funding and provide food assistance to those who need it most. These are painful choices, these families cannot provide food without WFP food assistance,” continued Mendes.

He warned that if the program does not receive more funding, food aid will be cut off for a further quarter of a million refugees residing outside the camps by the end of September.

The statement indicated that cutting aid comes at the worst times for families, as many are struggling to earn money, and a recent survey conducted by the program revealed that 68 percent of refugees have had their income decreased since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mendes pointed out that the program is working intensively with its partners, including the Jordanian government, donor countries, UN organizations and non-profit organizations, to provide adequate funding.

"We are grateful to the donor countries for their continued support for Syrian refugees in Jordan," he noted.

"Due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, many refugees have become more vulnerable and have increased their humanitarian needs. We are more dependent on donor support today than ever before."