TGR | 8 December 2014 |
As the Syrian conflict rolls into its fourth year, the displaced population continues to grow to historic proportions. Currently, more than three million Syrians have fled the country while an additional 6.5 million are internally displaced (IDP) within the country’s boundaries. As many as 12.2 million Syrians need assistance – almost half the country’s population. As the Syrian humanitarian crisis continues to expand, more help is needed.
Caught in the crisis is The World Food Program (WFP), which halted its food voucher program for the Syrian refugee population due to a lack of funding. The WFP voucher program has been feeding approximately 1.7 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. As pressure mounts in this humanitarian emergency, the plight of millions of Syrian men, women, and children depends on contributions from the international community.
Helping to Feed the Hungry
The World Food Program has worked to feed the hungry throughout the world for more than fifty years. In recent years it provided aid to more than 75 countries. According to UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, today, more than 100 million people are in need of humanitarian aid, and it takes more money to provide for an increasingly needy population.
WFP relies on contributions from companies, donor countries, and individuals. Reportedly, the reason for the shortage is nearly 24 percent in unfulfilled pledges from donor countries totaling $585 Million. At the top of the list of donor countries is the United States which gave the WFP $125 Million in November 2014, for a total of more than $4.6 billion in funding for 2014. However, not all countries contribute to the WFP and many that do, do so sparingly. Furthermore, countries, such as Russia, which perpetuate the Syrian crisis by supplying Syrian leader Bashar al Assad with arms, share in the responsibility to care for the victims of the war: the displaced.
A Global Crisis
The Syrian refugee crisis is not just a Middle East crisis – it is a global crisis. Without humanitarian aid for the refugees – half of whom are children – the economic devastation will lead to a domino effect in an already unstable region.
World Food Program is asking for donations, “Even one dollar can make a difference,” WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin urged. If 64 million people gave just $1 it would be enough money to continue the much-needed humanitarian aid as winter begins in the region.
In the 21st century, this should not be happening! Are we willing to lose a generation of children while we wait for someone – some country – to step up to the plate and help Syria? The right answer is “NO!” We have seen the faces of the people of Syria, pleading for help. We cannot sit by and do nothing; we have to do all we can. Please, if you can, please consider giving to the World Food Programme or UNICEF. Or, you can donate to The Genocide Report, and we will ensure your gift is sent to WFP.
With much gratitude,
Lara Kajs
Founding Director, The Genocide Report
Photo Credit: Massive influx of Syrian Kurdish refugees into Turkey by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid. Licensed under CC 2.0 license