WFP welcomes Canada’s support for Syrian refugees in Lebanon

The United Nations World Food Programme, WFP, on Thursday transferred US$9.8 million onto the electronic food assistance cards which it provides to Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

This funding, from Canada, will benefit more than 310,000 people who depend entirely on humanitarian support.

"WFP is extremely grateful to the Government of Canada for this timely contribution," said WFP Lebanon Deputy Country Director, Paul Skoczylas. "The people of Canada have made a donation which represents a lifeline of hope for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable refugees during the harsh winter months."

He also stressed that around 93 percent of Syrian refugees living in Lebanon are, to some degree, food insecure. Since they cannot afford to purchase sufficient food to live healthily, WFP is providing them with assistance through electronic cards, which enable them to buy the food they need in 490 shops across the country.

" The same card is used by four humanitarian agencies operating in Lebanon: the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, the Lebanon Cash Consortium, LCC and WFP," added Skoczylas.