Jordan Times
Friday, August 4, 2006
WFP distributes food to Lebanese refugees in Syria
AMMAN (JT) — United Nations World Food
Programme’s (WFP) Goodwill Ambassador Her Royal Highness Princess Haya will
visit Syria today to meet Lebanese refugees who have fled the conflict in
Lebanon.
The Princess will be accompanied on the trip by WFP Executive Director James
Morris.
According to a WFP statement, the organisation on Monday began distributing food
aid to nearly 7,000 Lebanese people who have taken refuge in the Syrian capital,
Damascus, over the last two weeks.
Officials expect the WFP to distribute around three tonnes of bread each day to
refugees living in schools or abandoned public buildings.
Current projections suggest the number of refugees needing food aid in Damascus
could rise to 20,000 in the coming days.
Distribution of relief aid is also scheduled to begin shortly in central and
northern Syria.
WFP operations within the UN flash appeal have been budgeted at a total of $48
million to respond to the immediate food needs of displaced Lebanese.
The statement noted that WFP is prioritising assistance to 95,000 displaced
people seeking shelter in schools and public institutions in Beirut, 165,000
people in the heaviest-hit areas in southern Lebanon and 50,000 of the
approximately 140,000 people taking refuge in Syria.