DUBAI (Reuters) – Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, has called on the United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) to reconsider its decision to stop providing food subsidies to Syrian refugees by August 1. Safadi took to Twitter to express his concerns, stating that Jordan cannot bear this burden alone and urging the WFP and other organizations to reverse their decision.
Following Safadi’s plea, the World Food Programme has yet to respond to requests for comment from Reuters.
The humanitarian crisis in Syria has worsened in recent years, leading to an increased demand for aid. However, funding for humanitarian work in the country has dried up, with the United Nations reporting that only 11% of its $5.4 billion appeal for Syria has been funded. As a result, the World Food Programme announced in June that it would reduce food aid to 2.5 million out of the 5.5 million people it currently supports. It remains unclear whether this figure includes refugees outside of Syria.
Since the start of the conflict in 2011, millions of Syrians have been forced to flee their homes to seek refuge in different countries. However, the Arab League has recently welcomed Syria back into its fold, leading Arab countries to call for the return of Syrian refugees. Safadi emphasized that while voluntary returns should be facilitated, the UN and its agencies must continue to provide sufficient support until that becomes possible.
Clauda Tanios reporting. Article by Clauda Tanios and Maya Gebeily. Edited by Peter Graff.
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