Over 1.7 Syrian refugees suffer as UN suspends food aid due to lack of funds

A funding crisis has forced the UN to suspend its World Food Programme, affecting more than 1.7 million Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt, who are thriving on food vouchers provided to them by the organisation.

According to The Guardian, the WFP has brought food to millions of Syrians inside the country, and has used the voucher programme - which allows refugees to buy food in local shops - to inject about 800m dollars (500m pounds) into the economies of those countries hosting them.

The WFP on Monday announced that it was suspending the scheme after it failed to procure the much needed 64m dollars to support Syrian refugees.

Following the shortage of funds, the UN body has cut down on rations within Syria, where it is trying to help 4.25 million people.

The proramme's executive director, Ertharin Cousin, said that the suspension of WFP food assistance will endanger the health and safety of these refugees and will potentially cause further tensions, instability and insecurity in the neighbouring host countries.

Cousin added that it would be disastrous for many already suffering families.