WFP staff attends Syrian displaced people./ Photo: WFP/Bashar Elias
The Diplomat. Madrid
Spain has made a contribution of 1.75 million euros to the World Food Programme for internal Syrian refugees.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) thanks, in a statement, the contribution made by the Spanish Government “to relieve the suffering of more than 1.5 million vulnerable and displaced people who are trapped in the Syrian crisis”.
The WFP reports that Spain’s contribution will be used to buy and distribute more than 3,000 tonnes of rice that will complement other articles included in the emergency food package given to the Syrian population.
“This contribution from the Spanish Government and the Spanish population helps the WFP to continue giving vital assistance in Syria, just when the population needs all the support possible to bear difficult moments that many have been experiencing for almost five years”, Jakob Kern, director of the Programme in Syria, declared.
Food insecurity in Syria keeps deteriorating as a consequence of the conflict. According to a recent analysis, at the moment, one out of every three people in the country is facing a situation of food insecurity, which means they cannot produce or pay for the food they need. A total of 6.3 million Syrian need external aid.
“Thanks to the WFP intervention and that of other humanitarian figures, the assistance provided by Spain contributes to meet the urgent needs of the population suffering this conflict and its consequences, both in Syria and in bordering countries”, Jesús Gracia, Secretary of State for International Cooperation and for Ibero-America confirmed.
