WFP warns of risk of food shortages in Syria.

On May 13, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced that it had to halve its emergency food aid to Syria due to a lack of funding.

The World Food Programme (WFP) needs $189 million to maintain and restore aid to Syria from June to November 2026. (Source: WEF)

According to the WFP, the number of people receiving emergency food aid in Syria has decreased from 1.3 million to 650,000 in May 2026, as the organization has scaled back its operations in the Middle Eastern country from 14 to just 7 provinces.

However, 7.2 million people in Syria are still facing food shortages, including 1.6 million who are facing severe famine.

Many families have had to reduce their food portions, eat less nutritious foods, or even skip meals entirely.

WFP Director in Syria Marianne Ward stated: "The cuts in WFP aid are entirely due to funding constraints, not a decrease in need."

The organization also stated that it needs $189 million to maintain and restore aid to Syria from June to November 2026.

The WFP is facing a funding shortfall due to the US, its largest donor, implementing a policy of cutting foreign aid under President Donald Trump.

In addition, Syria is also facing a deep economic crisis after more than a decade of conflict that has devastated infrastructure and displaced millions of people.

Although fighting has eased in many parts of the Middle Eastern nation since late 2024, aid agencies emphasize that humanitarian needs remain critical.

Earlier, in April 2026, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, Director of the UN Development Programme Alexander De Croo, and Syrian diplomat Qutaiba Qadish called for sustained international support for Syria.

Currently, Syria has approximately 5.5 million displaced people, and 13.3 million people face food shortages, including 7.2 million who are experiencing severe food insecurity.

Fletcher said that while Syria has made progress in recent months, famine remains a serious problem after more than a decade of war. According to UN estimates, 15.6 million people in Syria will need humanitarian assistance this year.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/wfp-canh-bao-nguy-co-thieu-luong-thuc-tai-syria-393449.html