United Nations: Risk of Halted Aid for 248,000 Syrian Refugees in Jordan
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned of serious consequences that could affect the conditions of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees in Jordan, as the risk of food aid suspension looms early 2026 due to a funding shortfall estimated at $258 million.
The program explained that current resources are sufficient to cover monthly cash assistance only until January 2026, noting the need to secure an additional $65 million to ensure the continuation of food support until the end of 2026.
According to the report, the return of more than 144,600 Syrian refugees from Jordan to Syria between December 2024 and August 2025 contributed to reducing the beneficiary lists, with numbers decreasing to about 248,000 refugees after removing 62,000 from the lists.
The program affirmed that Syrian refugees in Jordan remain among the most vulnerable groups, and that aid constitutes a lifeline amid difficult economic conditions.
Meanwhile, Yusuf Taha, spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency in Jordan, clarified that the budget reduction is related to the decrease in registered refugee numbers but emphasized that the humanitarian need remains. He pointed out that the upcoming strategy focuses on voluntary returns alongside continuing services for those who choose to stay.
Taha noted that the 2025 budget amounted to $372.8 million, but only $115 million (31%) had been secured by the end of August, resulting in a funding gap of $257.8 million, forcing the agency to reprioritize to ensure support continues for as many refugees as possible.
