Millions Threatened by Hunger as UN Halves Food Assistance in Syria

Welat TV – Erbil

The World Food Program announced a 50% reduction in its emergency food assistance for Syria due to severe funding shortages, warning that humanitarian needs across the country remain critical.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the program said it had suspended its nationwide bread support initiative in Syria, which had previously assisted millions of people daily. It noted that the number of beneficiaries has dropped from 1.3 million people to 650,000 during the current month of May.

The agency warned that deprivation could increase the risks of malnutrition, particularly among children, stressing that bread remains a vital safeguard against worsening hunger as an affordable staple food.

Aid Reduced by Half

The statement explained that despite signs of stability in some parts of Syria, around 7.2 million people across the country continue to suffer from acute food insecurity, including 1.6 million individuals facing extremely difficult conditions. The UN agency added that during 2025 it managed to reach 5.8 million people across all Syrian provinces, but funding shortages are now forcing it to reduce operations from 14 provinces to only seven.

Refugees Also Affected

In the same context, Marianne Ward, Country Director of the World Food Program in Syria, said the reduction in assistance is solely the result of funding constraints rather than a decline in humanitarian needs. She stressed that the funding gap will also affect Syrian refugees living in neighboring countries.

About the World Food Program

The World Food Program is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, working to save lives during emergencies and using food assistance to support peace, stability, and recovery for people affected by conflict, disasters, and climate change.