Amidst escalating needs and soaring hunger, refugees caught in the eye of the perfect storm — Global Issues

Impossible choices

Hamstrung by funding constraints, WFP is having to prioritize assistance to ensure that vital food reaches the most vulnerable families first – often leaving refugees without support at a time where food assistance is the difference between life and death.

As WFP is forced to institute ration reductions to stretch limited resources, this year saw an additional six million refugee movements from Ukraine.

In response, WFP in Moldova has delivered nearly 475,000 hot meals to affected families across 31 different localities.

According to the latest figures released by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), 67 per cent of refugees and asylum seekers have originated from countries with food crises in 2021. 

This, coupled with devastating conflict and climate extremes, is hitting refugees the hardest.

While the immediate needs of refugees remain WFP’s top concern, more than ever there is also a need now for sustained investments in programmes that foster the self-reliance of refugee populations.

WFP, together with partners and governments, is working towards building and supporting livelihood and resilience programmes for refugees.

In 2021, the UN agency assisted nearly 10 million refugees globally.