Syria
IN CRISIS
13 years of conflict have driven hunger to critical levels in Syria. Economic collapse and devastating earthquakes have compounded an already dire humanitarian emergency.
A Hunger and Refugee Crisis
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Syria in February 2023 came during one of the hardest years ever for Syrians. Violent conflict and sky-high food prices had pushed families to their absolute limit. Now, the conflict in Lebanon has pushed hundreds of thousands of people into Syria. The influx is an additional shock for communities already facing severe hunger.
Since violence first erupted in 2011, the crisis has become one of the most complicated operations for the U.N. World Food Programme. More than 7 million Syrians are displaced inside the country and another 5 million are registered as refugees in neighboring countries and North Africa.
12.9 million people
are hungry
The cost of living has tripled over the past three years
Over 7 million people are internally displaced
WAR AND DISASTERS DRIVE HUNGER
Feb 6, 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.
Photo: WFP/2023
Mar 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.
Photo: WFP/Hussam Al Saleh
Mar 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.
Photo: WFP/Abeer Etefa
Dec 2019
Escalating levels of conflict displaced nearly one 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 percent 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.
Oct 2017
The fall of Raqqa and the departure of ISIS.
Photo: WFP/Hussam Al Saleh
Apr 1, 2017
The United States launches a military strike on a Syrian government airbase in response to a second chemical weapon attack on civilians.
Dec 1, 2016
The fall of Aleppo after hundreds of government airstrikes leaves the city of roughly 4.6 million people in ruins.
Mar 1, 2011
The Arab Spring protests erupt and the Syrian civil war begins, pitting the Assad government against the rebels.
Photo: OCHA/Josephine Guerrero
You Can Help Save Lives
Millions of Syrians are displaced from their homes by conflict and natural disasters. Your generous donation can help deliver critical food aid.
The Syrian Refugee Crisis in Jordan
Over 650,000 Syrians – that’s more than the entire population of Memphis, Tennessee – have registered with UNHCR in Jordan. Almost 90% of them are either hungry or teetering on the edge of food insecurity.
How WFP Is Supporting Syrians
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the largest humanitarian agency in Syria. WFP works to reach Syria’s most vulnerable families with the food and nutrition they need.
WFP does whatever it takes to reach 1 million 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.
WFP’s nutrition program helps kids to get the best possible start in life and supports pregnant and nursing mothers to fight and prevent malnutrition. The program provides over 300,000 children under 2 and women with nutrient-rich foods.
Every month, WFP provides 600,000 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 for a healthy start in life.
Fighting Hunger With Innovation
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.
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.
Bread is a staple food and a powerful cultural symbol in Syria. When bakeries inside eastern Aleppo were destroyed in conflict, WFP provided bundles of bread to nearly 12,000 displaced people.
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.
Help Us Save LIves
People in Syria and neighboring countries are suffering from recurring natural disasters and years of conflict. You can help save lives by donating today.
News & Updates from Syria
Read the latest articles on hunger issues and WFP’s work in Syria.
