UN Food Agency cuts Syria food aid, by half, halts bread subsidy due to funding problems.

 

On Wednesday, the World Food Programme announced a halving of emergency food assistance in Syria due to budget shortfalls, highlighting the vulnerability of millions despite some signs of stabilization.

Under President Donald Trump, the United States, the UN agency's largest donor, has reduced foreign aid, while other countries have made or proposed cuts in development and humanitarian assistance.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), the number of Syrians getting emergency food aid decreased from 1.3 million to 650,000 in May, with operations reduced to just seven governorates out of 14

Meanwhile, 7.2 million Syrians remain acutely food insecure, with 1.6 million facing extreme starvation, according to the World Food Programme. Many homes were already cutting meal quantities, eating less nutritious foods, or skipping meals entirely, it said. Marianne Ward, WFP's country director in Syria, stated that the decline in assistance is due to funding restrictions rather than a decrease in requirements. 

The World Food Programme (WFP) has discontinued a bread subsidy scheme that provided fortified wheat flour to over 300 bakeries, benefiting up to four million people daily in Syria's most needy districts. Syria's economic catastrophe stems from a decade of violence that has destroyed infrastructure, displaced millions, and disrupted livelihoods.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme reports that 7.2 million Syrians are acutely food insecure, with 1.6 million facing famine. According to the report, many households have already reduced meal portions, eaten less nutritious items, or skipped meals entirely. Marianne Ward, WFP's country director in Syria, indicated that the reduction in assistance is due to funding constraints rather than a drop in needs. 

The World Food Programme (WFP) has ended a bread subsidy program that delivered fortified wheat flour to more than 300 bakeries, benefiting up to four million people daily in Syria's most impoverished districts. Syria's economic crisis derives from a decade of violence that has damaged infrastructure, displaced millions, and disrupted livelihoods.