U.N. prepares 'e-cards' for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- The United Nations announced Friday its voucher program will help more than 800,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon meet their food needs.

By the end of 2013, the refugees will be using "e-cards" at participating merchants in Lebanon as part of an initiative of the U.N. World Food Program and its private sector partner MasterCard, WFP said in a statement.

"The new e-cards will allow Syrian refugees to choose the foods they want, when they want," said Elisabeth Rasmusson, executive director for partnership and governance services of the WFP.

A similar program will be introduced at the end of 2013 for 300,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan, the statement said.