Since the unrest in Syria began in 2011, the humanitarian situation has continued to deteriorate. The death toll has since exceeded 9,000 according to human rights organizations. In parallel, some 40,000 people have fled Syria to neighboring countries, particularly to Turkey (16,500), Lebanon (16,000) and Jordan (7,000), based on UNHCR registration figures. In addition, thousands have been displaced within the country.
Livelihoods across Syria have been dramatically impacted by the unrest. Access to basic needs including food, water, electricity, and medical supplies has been interrupted in conflict-affected areas. These areas depend largely on agricultural supplies arriving from affected areas of the country. The continuing instability and volatile security situation have rendered breadwinners of a growing number of households unemployed. This has been coupled with soaring food prices across the country. The current unrest has also further implicated populations whose food security was already affected by the drought that has been hitting their areas since 2006.
In response, WFP launched an “Emergency food assistance to people affected by unrest in Syria” operation with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). WFP plans to target 250,000 beneficiaries per month inside the country until December 2012, based on a request by SARC to increase the food beneficiary caseload. This would be an increase from the current 100,000 beneficiaries per month. The operation provides food assistance to persons and families whose food security and ability to feed their families is at risk because of the violence.
WFP has so far reached 11 out of 14 of Syria’s governorates including rural Damascus, Hama, Dara’a, Idleb, and Homs. Yet, some parts in these areas remain inaccessible for UN staff. Assistance is provided through in-kind food distribution. The monthly food basket consists of a variety of basic food commodities (cereals, oil, sugar, canned meat and pulses) providing 1,556 Kcal, equivalent to 74 percent of daily energy requirement per person per day.
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