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. WFP is currently reaching about 1.5 million people a month inside Syria, distributing food both in areas controlled by the government and by the opposition. By April we aim to be reaching 2.5 million. We are also assisting the hundreds of thousands of 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 and 75 percent reported significant losses.

 

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On The Ground

Syrian Refugees in Turkey 8
Syrian Refugees in Turkey 8
The journey was difficult for her mother. They waited 15 days on the border before crossing into Turkey. “It’s not a question of regrets or not. I left because of the shelling – I was afraid for my children. I want to go back but for the same reason I can’t go back unless the fighting dies down.

WFP Response

  • Working with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), WFP is distributing food to around 1.5 million people in Syria every month.
  • We are in the process of expanding our operations in order to reach 2.5 million people in Syria in the coming months.
  • Internally displaced people (IDPs) represent around 85 percent of the people receiving WFP assistance in Syria's 14 governorates.
  • In response to severe shortages of fuel, we have begun to import fuel into Syria for humanitarian purposes.
  • To feed 1.5 million people inside Syria , WFP requires 15,000 metric tons of food each month, which costs around US$22 million.
  • WFP is planning to start distributing wheat flour or bread directly to the poorest families.
  • More than 325,000 refugees in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey receive WFP assistance every month (either food or food vouchers).
  • WFP recently expanded its relief operation for Syrian refugees and plans to provide food assistance to up to 795,000 refugees by June 2013.

 

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See where WFP is distributing food to Syrian families displaced by fighting.

 

Syria in the Media

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"No Child Should Go Hungry Because Of The Conflict 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.