Syria’s Food Aid Cut Back: What It Means for Millions

The World Food Programme announced that it has cut its emergency food support in Syria by half because of a lack of money. Only 650, 000 people now receive help instead of the 1. 3 million it did earlier in May. The program also dropped its operations from all 14 regions down to just seven. The main reason for this sharp drop is the reduced funding from major donors, especially the United States. Other countries have also trimmed or paused their humanitarian aid, leaving many families still in need. The WFP stresses that the decline is due to money shortages, not a lower demand for food. In addition, the bread subsidy that fed up to four million people daily has been stopped. This program had supplied fortified flour to more than 300 bakeries across the country, helping keep bread affordable for vulnerable households.Syria’s economy has been battered by years of war and the collapse of infrastructure. Even though fighting has eased in many areas after the end of President Bashar al‑Assad’s rule, the need for food aid remains huge. The WFP says it needs $189 million from June to November to keep and rebuild its services inside Syria. The funding crisis also hurts refugees outside the country. In Jordan, cash food aid for 135, 000 Syrian refugees in host communities was halted, while support for those in camps was cut but kept running. In Egypt, aid to 20, 000 Syrians has been reduced, and many families in Lebanon still rely heavily on help.