Jordan Daily – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced today that due to dwindling funds, it is necessary to implement additional cuts in food assistance for refugees in Jordan. The WFP will be reducing the monthly cash assistance for all 119,000 Syrian refugees in Zaatari and Azraq camps by one-third.
Starting in August, Syrian refugees in the camps will receive a reduced cash allowance of US$21 (JOD 15) per person per month, down from the previous amount of US$32 (JOD 23). Syrian refugees living in both camps have limited income sources with only 30 percent of adults working – mainly in temporary or seasonal jobs – while 57 percent of camp residents say cash assistance is their only source of income , according to a statement.
“We are deeply concerned about the potential deterioration of families’ food security but as funding dries up, our hands are tied,” said WFP Representative and Country Director in Jordan Alberto Correia Mendes. “These reductions are likely to lead to increased negative coping strategies.”
Despite efforts to prioritize the most vulnerable families and exclude some individuals from assistance, WFP faces a critical funding shortfall of US$41 million until the end of 2023.
WFP acknowledges the support of the Jordanian government and people in hosting Syrian refugees. However, funding constraints have forced WFP to scale back assistance in Syria and Palestine as well.
Across the region, funding constraints have forced WFP to scale back assistance in Syria and in Palestine as low funding left the food agency with little room to continue providing assistance at previous levels.
