The U.N.'s World Food Program has so far raised one-third of the needed amount to resume its refugee food assistance program after it launched a public appeal earlier this week.
The campaign raised $21.5 million in the first 24 hours from individuals, corporations and governments.
WFP said Monday it needed $64 million to fully reinstate the Syrian refugee food program for 1.7 million people. A lack of funds has forced the United Nations to stop providing food vouchers for refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt.
More than 1.1 million Syrians are registered as refugees in Lebanon with the U.N. Refugee Agency.
Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas said Thursday that Lebanon would face a "catastrophe" as a result of the WFP decision to end food donations to Syrian refugees.
“People do care. The Syrian refugees are not forgotten,” WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin said, according to a statement on the organization’s website.
“Because the refugee food assistance is provided by e-vouchers, over the coming days we will immediately begin reinstating e-vouchers for some of the poorest and most vulnerable families, particularly women and children.”
WFP said it would continue the campaign for another 48 hours to reach the required $42.5 million.
“Raising one-third in the first 24-hours brings hope,” Muhannad Hadi, WFP Regional Emergency Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, said. “We must ensure no child goes hungry this month. WFP should not be forced to choose between one hungry child over another.”
People who want to donate online are asked to follow this link: wfp.org/forsyrianrefugees and visit WFP’s website wfp.org to donate online.
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