15-Second Overview

Conflict in Syria has forced millions of people to flee their homes, creating a humanitarian crisis in which food assistance is a top priority. Currently, WFP is aiming to feed 2.5 million people inside Syria every month, distributing food both in areas controlled by the government and by the opposition. We are also assisting more than 800,000 refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries.

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Syria Background

A boy in DamascusHumanitarian needs are growing in Syria, with serious bread and fuel shortages across the country. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), estimate that 2.5 million Syrians inside the country need food assistance.

The conflict has brought a sharp drop in domestic food production and inflation is up dramatically, further eroding the purchasing power of households across the country. In some areas, the prices of most essential items have risen by 200 percent, and the Syrian pound has been devalued by around 80 percent. Only 5 percent of farmers were able to harvest winter crops which matured last summer; 20 percent said they were completely unable to harvest crops.

 

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On The Ground

Food Distribution To Syrian Families In Tartous
Food Distribution To Syrian Families In Tartous
Families collect their food rations at a distribution point in Tartous, a port city in western Syria where thousands of people have come in recent weeks to escape fighting along the Mediterranean coast. In addition to food rations, WFP has also began providing ready-to-eat food and high energy biscuits to 10,000 people, mainly displaced women and children, who have arrived from surrounding areas.  Find out more

WFP Response

  • WFP is working with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and several other NGOs to distribute food in Syria.
  • Most of the people receiving WFP assistance in Syria's 14 governorates are families who have been displaced by the conflict.
  • WFP is working with authorities to resolve bureaucratic issues that temporarily halted food dispatches in Syria recently. Truck deliveries have now resumed.
  • Working with UNICEF, WFP is providing specialized products to prevent and treat malnutrition among children in Syria.
  • WFP's operation for Syrian refugees is providing food assistance to more than 800,000 refugees in 5 countries
  • Assistance to refugees is mostly through food vouchers, which allow families to choose food and help the local economy.
  • Since the beginning of the crisis, WFP has distributed more than 1 million food vouchers and half a million food parcel to refugees
  • We are also providing snacks to school children in refugee camps in Iraq and Jordan.
  • WFP needs US$19 million every week to support its operations for Syrians inside and outside their country.

 

Syria Quiz

Take a short quiz to learn  more about the crisis in  Syria and how the World  Food Programme is  responding to the needs of  families fleeing conflict. By  taking the quiz, you’ll provide nutritious food to a Syrian family for a day at no cost to you. Take quiz

Syria in the Media

Videos

UN Emergency Coordinator John Ging Visits Warehouse In Syria

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Partners

WFP’s NGOs partners play a crucial role in getting food assistance hungry Syrians inside and outside the country. Here are our ten key partners on the ground.