U.N.: Syrian food program needs more funding

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- The United Nations' World Food Program said Thursday additional funding is needed to keep food rations for over six million Syrians from being cut.

The agency said it expects to reach those in need of food, within Syria and its neighboring countries, in October and November, but it has no money for the December schedule of food distribution. It added that cash payments and voucher programs will be cut by up to half in Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq, and noted programs for feedings children in Iraqi schools have already halted.

"We have reached a critical point in our humanitarian response in Syria and in neighboring countries and unless we manage to secure significant funding in the next few days, I am afraid we will have no choice but to scale back our operation," said WFP regional coordinator Muhannad Hadi.

John Ging of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the agency required $44 million for its Syrian operations, and $56 million more to avoid cutting the food distribution program in neighboring countries.