Millions of Refugees Face Hunger as Donor Support Withers

GENEVA - Ahead of World Refugee Day, the World Food Program is appealing for international support for millions of destitute refugees, many of whom are facing hunger because money to feed them has dried up. 

The World Food Program assists more than 115 million people in 80 countries.  Currently, it has received just 55 percent of the $15.3 billion it needs to implement its life-saving operations this year. To make ends meet, it has been forced to make draconian cuts in food rations for millions of refugees across eastern and southern Africa, as well as the Middle East.  WFP spokesman Tomson Phiri says in eastern Africa alone, nearly three-quarters of refugees have had their food rations cut by half. "In Southern Africa, refugees in Tanzania who depend entirely on WFP assistance have had their rations cut by almost one-third," said Phiri.  "Significant funding shortages for the Syria Regional Refugee Response mean 242,000 refugees in Jordan may be cut off from assistance at the end of August unless more funding is received.”