Vital funding from Canada enables WFP to continue refugee assistance during Ramadan

AMMAN — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) received a timely allocation of C$5 million (around $4 million) from the Government of Canada this month to cover the shortfall in funding necessary to provide food assistance to refugees in Jordan during the holy month of Ramadan. 

The contribution averted a pipeline break that would have affected almost 200,000 refugees at a time when food has an even greater significance than usual, according to a WFP statement.

With this allocation, which is part of Canada’s regional multiyear funding to WFP in the Middle East, WFP Jordan has so far received a total of C$ 11.5 million through regional and country level allocations to support vulnerable populations in Jordan during 2021.

“Canada is committed to supporting WFP’s efforts to provide food assistance and other humanitarian needs in Jordan. Refugee families, whether in camps or in host communities are particularly vulnerable, and we are happy to provide assistance”, said Donica Pottie, ambassador of Canada to Jordan.

WFP’s food assistance project in Jordan supports more than half a million vulnerable refugee families every month with cash-based transfers, helping meet their food needs. This includes Syrian refugees in Azraq and Zaatari refugee camps as well as Syrian and other living in host communities across Jordan.

“WFP is grateful to the government and people of Canada for their continued support to vulnerable refugees in Jordan. With this contribution, WFP can provide much needed food assistance to all these families across the Kingdom during this holy month of Ramadan, a time when food is particularly important”, said Alberto Correia Mendes, WFP’s representative and country director in Jordan.

WFP’s funding situation remains critical as the agency requires some US$ 66.4 million till the end of the year to continue the provision of vital monthly food assistance to vulnerable populations.