2021. 04. 21.

Food insecurity in Syria reaches record levels: WFP | | UN News

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Food insecurity in Syria reaches record levels: WFP

WFP/Hussam Al Saleh A family in Syria receive food assistance from the World Food Programme.

    

17 February 2021 Humanitarian Aid (/en/news/topic/humanitarian-aid)

The number of Syrians who lack access to suf cient food has reached a record 12.4
million, or nearly 60 per cent of the population, the World Food Programme (WFP
(https://www.wfp.org/)) reported on Wednesday, citing “alarming” new national data. 

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2021. 04. 21. Food insecurity in Syria reaches record levels: WFP | | UN News

Economic crisis, job losses stemming from the COVID-19 (https://www.un.org/coronavirus)

pandemic, and soaring food prices have added to the plight of people who have been displaced
and worn down by a decade of con ict. 

WFP MENA
@WFP_MENA

That's 12.4 million people.

According to the results of the nation-wide food security

assessment conducted in late 2020, it is by far the highest
number ever recorded in #Syria.

The ndings are the result of a nationwide food security assessment last year carried out by the
UN agency and partners late last year. 

‘Never been worse’ 

 “The situation has never been worse. After 10 years of con ict, Syrian families have exhausted
their savings as they face a spiralling economic crisis,” said (https://www.wfp.org/news/twelve-
million-syrians-now-grip-hunger-worn-down-con ict-and-soaring-food-prices) Sean O’Brien,
WFP (http://www1.wfp.org/) Representative and Country Director in Syria. 

Meanwhile, the cost of basic foods to feed a family for a month – such as bread, rice, lentils, oil
and sugar – far exceeds average salaries. 

“It is alarming that a simple meal is beyond the reach of families across Syria, and this new data
shows humanitarian assistance is the difference between putting a meal on the table and going
to bed hungry. Lifesaving support has never been so crucial,” said Mr. O’Brien. 

WFP further estimates that the number of Syrians who are severely food insecure, meaning
they cannot survive without food assistance, has doubled in the past year to 1.3 million.
 Another 1.8 million people are at risk unless urgent action is taken, the agency warned.  
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2021. 04. 21. Food insecurity in Syria reaches record levels: WFP | | UN News

‘Desperate decisions to survive’ 

Syrians have been grappling with a rise in the price of basic items over the past year as the
national currency, the Syrian Pound, has plummeted in value.  

Parents are making “desperate decisions to survive”, WFP said.  These measures include eating
less food so they can feed their children, going into debt, and selling assets and livestock to get
money. Additionally, half of population has lost one or more sources of income due to the
economic downturn and the pandemic. 

WFP provides lifesaving food assistance each month to nearly ve million of the most
vulnerable people in Syria. The agency is seeking an additional $375 million to continue its
operations through July. 

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