A program helping to feed Syrian refugees has run out of money.
The U.N. World Food Programme, which feeds more than 1.7 million displaced Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt through a voucher program, has been unable to secure the $64 million it would need in order to feed displaced Syrians in December, forcing it to suspend operations.
“The suspension of WFP food assistance will be disastrous for many already suffering families,” said WFP executive director Ertharin Cousin, according to Reuters.
The program allows the refugees to buy food in local shops with vouchers, which in turn introduces nearly $800 million in the economies of the countries sheltering the Syrians.
WFP is also helping with five other emergencies, including dealing with African countries that are part of the Ebola outbreak.
The agency warned last month that it was low on funds. It has also cautioned that it may be forced to suspend aid to the 7.6 million people internally displaced within Syria.
