The World Food Programme (WFP) has confirmed its decision to continue reducing aid amounts for 410,000 vulnerable refugees in Jordan until the end of April, citing “a lack of funding” from donors since July 2023.
The WFP has been providing food assistance to this group of vulnerable refugees in both camps and host communities since February, maintaining a reduced cash transfer value of 15 Jordanian Dinars (approximately $21) per person per month due to the funding shortfall.
The organization stated, “This reduced aid will only be secured until the end of April. Without the receipt of further funds soon, the WFP will also have to reduce the number of beneficiaries it assists.”
In February, the WFP assisted over 715,000 refugees, transferring $8.6 million to beneficiaries. The financial requirements for the WFP’s operations in Jordan from March to August of the current year amount to nearly $100 million.
The WFP’s strategic plan for Jordan highlights a financial need of $997 million, of which $236 million has been received. The current year’s operational requirements stand at $213 million.
According to a February document from the program, Jordan is a lower-middle-income country with a population of 11.5 million, 63% of whom are under the age of thirty. The document describes Jordan as “a resource-poor country suffering from food deficit with diminishing energy, water, and limited agricultural land resources.”
Approximately 640,000 Syrian refugees and 74,000 refugees from other countries are registered with the UNHCR in Jordan as of last February.
The WFP emphasized that “the large number of refugees places unprecedented pressure on Jordan’s budget, natural resources, infrastructure, and labor market,” noting that the kingdom has linked the achievement of its national goals to a progressive approach in hosting refugees.
To address the financial gap, WFP continues to engage with the Jordanian Government, donors, and UN agencies through various advocacy initiatives to secure the required funds. This effort is crucial for continuing to provide life-saving support to those in need. The organization emphasizes the devastating impact of the reductions on families, especially the most vulnerable groups such as children, women, and people with disabilities. Despite implementing a prioritization plan, WFP still faces a critical shortfall of $41 million until the end of 2023. Without additional funds, further reductions in assistance will be inevitable.
