WFP appeals for funding to support Syrian refugees

The head of the UN's World Food Programme has called on the international community for extra support for Syrians forced to flee their country.

Ertharin Cousin asked the world "not to forget" the crisis.

"I met young Syrians who because of the conflict may never realise their incredible potential. This conflict robs them of their education, their childhoods and their dreams," Cousin said, after a four-day visit to Jordan and Lebanon.

The agency supports around 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt.

She stressed that the conflict is pushing many families below the poverty line and "into desperation".

"For affected populations in Syria and refugees around the region, WFP food assistance provides stability.

"To provide this assistance, we rely on the generosity of the international community. We simply cannot let them down," she said.

However, due to critical funding shortfalls since the start of the year the agency has been forced to cut food assistance by up to 50 percent.

The agency supports around 1.5 million Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt.

It urgently needs $163 million to allow it to continue supporting those in need through to October.