Syria

A Hunger and Refugee Crisis

Nearly 14 years of conflict have driven hunger to critical levels in Syria. Displacement, economic collapse and earthquakes have compounded an already dire humanitarian emergency.

WFP/Photo Library/2023

Fighting Hunger With Innovation

Iris Scans

Cash, vouchers and e-cards can be lost, stolen, or forged, putting recipients at risk. This technology allows Syrian refugees to safely purchase food from camp supermarkets using a scan of their eye instead.

Truck Convoys

WFP’s trucks reach hungry families in need, carrying hundreds of thousands of pounds of lifesaving food. The trucks carry large bags of food, nutritional supplements and other supplies to hard-to-reach communities.

Bakeries

Bread is a staple food and a powerful cultural symbol in Syria. When bakeries were destroyed by earthquakes in 2023, WFP helped them reopen and provide subsidized bread to 40,000 people every day.

Greenhouses

Greenhouses are being rebuilt and farmers have been provided with tomato seeds and irrigation kits, as well as with food rations to get through the lean season before their tomato harvests are complete.

The Syrian Refugee Crisis in Jordan

Over 560,000 Syrians are registered with UNHCR in Jordan. Most of them are either hungry or teetering on the edge of food insecurity.

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Hunger Stats

The recent escalation in Syria is a crisis on top of a crisis. Over 600,000 people have been displaced. The situation remains fluid, displacement continues and food prices have already increased. WFP remains present and operational in Syria. After years of conflict, the people of Syria need peace. 3.1 million people are severely hungry and malnutrition is near emergency levels. More than 7 million Syrians were already displaced inside the country before the current crisis. Another 6 million are refugees.

The cost of living has tripled over the past three years

2 million people were assisted by WFP in 2024

3.1M

3.1 million people are severely hungry

The cost of living has tripled over the past three years

2 million people were assisted by WFP in 2024

3.1M

3.1 million people are severely hungry

The cost of living has tripled over the past three years

War and Disasters Drive Hunger

2024

In December 2024, armed opposition captured cities including Damascus and the government was overthrown. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced, worsening an already dire food security situation. WFP immediately scaled up its emergency food assistance programs to reach 2.8 million displaced and food-insecure people across Syria.

2023

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits northwest Syria where 4.1 million people survive almost entirely on humanitarian aid. The region is largely inaccessible due to destroyed infrastructure and harsh winter weather. WFP is delivering hot and ready-to-eat meals to families affected by the earthquake.

2022

After 11 years of conflict, Syrian families are being forced to choose between buying food, fuel or medicine. Basic meals were already beyond their reach when war erupted in Ukraine, triggering a collateral wave of hunger and driving up food prices. Despite the challenges, WFP distributes lifesaving food to 5.6 million people every month. This assistance includes 1.3 million people in the northwest via the cross-border operation from Turkey.

2021

After a decade of conflict, the situation is the worst it’s ever been. 12.4 million Syrians are hungry, and 6.7 million people are displaced within their country’s borders. With the number of COVID-19 cases and food prices rising, families are struggling to survive each day. In January, WFP reached nearly 5 million people with lifesaving food, and ramped up support for vulnerable mothers and children.

2019

Escalating levels of conflict displaced nearly 1 million people across northwest Syria starting in early December. It was the largest wave of displacement in nearly nine years of conflict. More than 80% of the displaced were women and children. In February, WFP scaled up its work in the area to reach 626,000 people with monthly food rations and another 487,000 newly displaced people with ready-to-eat rations that can feed a family of five for one week.

2011

Protests erupt in Syria and the government responds with suppression. Opposition groups form and the Syrian civil war begins.

How WFP Is Supporting Syrians

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is one of the largest humanitarian agencies in Syria. WFP works to reach Syria’s most vulnerable families with the food they need.

Emergency Food

WFP does whatever it takes to reach people in Syria with lifesaving food assistance. WFP provides families with foods like rice, beans, oil and wheat to prevent them from slipping further into severe levels of hunger.

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Nutritional Support

WFP helps kids to get the best possible start in life and supports pregnant and nursing mothers to prevent and fight malnutrition. We provide over 300,000 children under 2 and women with nutrient-rich foods.

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School Meals

WFP provides more than 460,000 schoolchildren with fortified date bars, fresh meals and cash-based assistance. School meals are an essential safety net that provide children with the nutrition they need.

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Syria

A Hunger and Refugee Crisis

Fighting Hunger With Innovation

Iris Scans

Truck Convoys

Bakeries

Greenhouses

The Syrian Refugee Crisis in Jordan

Hunger Stats

War and Disasters Drive Hunger

How WFP Is Supporting Syrians

Lastest News

What’s Happening in Syria? How the Civil War Is Worsening Hunger Among Civilians

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