Highlights: The number of Syrians relying on food aid to meet their basic needs increased by 1.5 million people, to 16.7 million people. Almost 13 million do not have enough to eat, 7 million are displaced within Syria and as many are refugees outside, particularly in neighboring countries. The United Nations estimates that 90% of the Syrian population lives below the poverty line. ignoring the Syrian crisis could have “ catastrophic ” consequences, including the “ resurgence of terrorism ” and the destabilization of neighboring countries such as Lebanon and Jordan.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs in Syria, Adam Abdel Mawla, announced on Friday March 22 that at least 12.9 million people were suffering from food insecurity.…

Humanitarian aid in Syria: the UN has only raised 8 million of the 4 billion dollars needed

The United Nations Resident Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs in Syria, Adam Abdel Mawla, announced on Friday March 22 that at least 12.9 million people were suffering from food insecurity. The country remains torn by war since 2011 and affected by international and Western sanctions.

UN World Food Program (WFP) staff distribute relief packages to displaced Syrians before aid distribution stops, in the Atme camp on the outskirts of Idlib in the north western Syria held by rebels, December 6, 2023. © Aaref Watad / AFP

By: RFI Follow

With our regional correspondent,

Paul Khalifeh

In one year, the number of Syrians relying on

food aid to meet their basic needs increased

by 1.5 million people, to 16.7 million people. Among these people in distress, almost 13 million do not have enough to eat, 7 million are displaced within Syria and as many are refugees outside, particularly in neighboring countries.

Adam Abdella said the

Syrian conflict remains “

one of the bloodiest crises

for civilians in the world

.” Since its outbreak in 2011 in the context of the Arab Spring, the war in Syria has left more than 507,000 dead, displaced millions of people and plunged the country into a major economic and humanitarian crisis.

The situation is not likely to improve in the coming months. The UN humanitarian official revealed that the United Nations only raised $8 million after launching an appeal for aid worth $4 billion to finance the humanitarian needs of the Syrian population. As of March 1, “

only 0.02%

” of the annual humanitarian response plan's needs have been funded, showing that “

vital programs and services

” are being cut.

Inaction would mean at least 2.5 million children could be out of school, and an estimated 2.3 million women of childbearing age could “

lose access to life-saving reproductive and maternal health care

,” he indicated.

This dramatic deterioration in living conditions is not surprising. On January 1, the

World Food Program interrupted

the aid it was providing to 5.6 million people in Syria due to lack of financial resources. The United Nations estimates that 90% of the Syrian population lives below the poverty line.

Furthermore, according to the UN official, ignoring the Syrian crisis could have “

catastrophic

” consequences, including the “

resurgence of terrorism

” and the destabilization of neighboring countries such as Lebanon and Jordan, “

Humanitarian aid in Syria: the UN has only raised 8 million of the 4 billion dollars needed

Humanitarian aid in Syria: the UN has only raised 8 million of the 4 billion dollars needed

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