Significant funding shortfalls in East and South Africa as well as in the Middle East, force rations for the most vulnerable people who depend on WFP-distributed food to survive by up to 60%.

Plus, the stark shortage of funds for Syria’s regional response means that as many as 242,000 refugees in Jordan may be left without assistance by the end of August, unless more money is received.

‘What we´re seeing is the impact of Covid-19 on donor government funding, and this is negatively affecting our ability to respond to and support the world’s most vulnerable,’ said Margot van der Velden, WFP´s Director of Emergencies.

Faced with the increased risk to the most marginalized people´s lives, Velden urged donor governments not to turn their backs on refugees when they really need it most.

To avoid food assistance cuts, whether reduced rations or total exclusion of people from assistance, enough funding is really needed at least one month before the expected disruption in the flow of food to refugee-hosting countries.

ef/pll/msm / crc