Mexico Supports Vulnerable Syrian Refugees In Lebanon During The Winter Months
BEIRUT – The World Food Programme (WFP) has provided vital food assistance to the most vulnerable Syrian refugees in Lebanon this winter thanks to generous contributions from the Government of Mexico and other donors.
“WFP monthly food assistance is a lifeline for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, especially in winter when extra calories are needed to fend off the cold,” said WFP Lebanon Representative and Country Director Dominik Heinrich. “Every day, 750,000 refugees depend on our support to be able to buy the food their families need.”
The US$2 million contribution from Mexico has been used to provide food assistance for 63,500 of the most vulnerable Syrian refugees in Lebanon this winter who use WFP electronic food vouchers (e-cards) to purchase food from any of 500 contracted shops across Lebanon. Providing food assistance through e-cards also boosts the Lebanese economy and benefits shopkeepers and their families. Since the beginning of the programme in 2012, WFP has injected more than US$800 million into the Lebanese economy through the e-card system.
“Mexico is proud to join forces with the international community, and in particular with WFP, to assist in alleviating the suffering of Syrian refugees and ease the burden on host communities here in Lebanon,” said Ambassador of Mexico to Lebanon Jaime Garcia-Amaral.
WFP requires US$20 million per month to continue to provide life-saving assistance to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Without these funds, 750,000 of the most vulnerable Syrian refugees will not have access to the food assistance they depend on to be able to provide for their families.
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WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.
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For more information please contact (email address: firstname.lastname@wfp.org):
Abeer Etefa, WFP/Cairo, Tel. +2010 66634352
Dina El-Kassaby, WFP/Cairo Tel. + 2010 15218882