Damascus. An unprecedented hunger crisis threatens in Syria. With around 9.3 million people, more Syrians are suffering from poverty and malnutrition than ever before since the beginning of the war nine years ago World Food Programme (WFP) of the UN according to the German Catholic News Agency (KNA) on Friday at a conference of the donor countries in Damascus, as reported by Kathpress.
In the past six months alone, this number has increased by around 1.4 million. According to the WFP, this is mainly due to an increase in food prices. Prices would have increased by 200 percent in less than a year and are currently higher than ever since the beginning of the war. The reasons for this are the negative development of the Lebanese economy, which is important for Syria, and the restrictions in the wake of the corona pandemic.
Families particularly affected by the hunger crisis
Families in particular are affected by the hunger crisis and have to resort to drastic means, such as cutting meals and selling their belongings. “They have used up their savings, have had to flee their homes many times and are now facing a downward spiral of poverty and hunger,” said WFP country director in Syria, Corinne Fleischer. “You have hardly any way out of the crisis.”
The WFP estimates its funding needs for the supply at around $ 200 million this year. If this funding does not come about by the end of August, rations would have to be cut drastically from October, the organization said. (apa)
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