UN Syria food aid - Due to an alleged funding crisis, the United Nations has suspended its food aid to refugees in Syria. This move has been dubbed disastrous and could potentially cause unwanted tension in neighbouring countries.
With UN Syria food aid put to a halt, over 2 million refugees health are endangered. Such food aid has been helping 1.7 million refugees in Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan. These countries are depending on the World Food Program vouchers to purchase food from stores.
"A suspension of WFP food assistance will endanger the health and safety of these refugees and will potentially cause further tensions, instability and insecurity in the neighboring host countries," says World Food Program Executive Director, Ertharin Cousin in a report by the NPR. "The suspension of WFP food assistance will be disastrous for many already suffering families."
The UN Syria food aid had begun in 2011 due to the violence that erupted in the country. With the decision to stop the feeding program ahead of winter, widespread hunger will now be the problem of Syria in addition to the internal fights between moderate and Islamist rebel groups.
Apart from the UN Syria food aid crisis, refugees not only face hunger in the coming weeks but clean water, warm clothing, fuel, and proper sanitation. Syrian refugees, specifically those in Lebanon, have been living in makeshift camps and tents.
UN Syria food aid was inevitable given the UN agency had already announced a warning early in September. Funds were running out and that cut backs would likely occur if financial support was not given.
Reports claim that $64 million is needed for the UN Syria food aid. If sufficient funds are given, the program will quickly resume. Yet, the amount would not be enough if refugees increase in number through the course of the year.
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