UN agency launches social media campaign to bring urgent food aid to Syrian refugees

“Even one dollar can make a difference. We're saying to people: 'For you, it's a dollar, for them, it's a lifeline,'” said WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin in a news release on the initiative.

The appeal follows the WFP's announcement on Monday that it will halt a food voucher programme targeting 1.7 million destitute Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt. The refugees use the electronic vouchers to purchase food in local shops and without them many families would simply go hungry. As many of them already live in very precarious conditions, the agency warns that the consequences of halting food assistance will be “devastating.”

Through its 72-hour campaign, the UN agency hopes to pull in $64 million to be immediately implemented during the month of December and is urging donors and members of the public to follow the WFP's link wfp.org/forsyrianrefugees to donate online. In addition, the agency said, donors will be asked to swap their profile pictures on social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook with a badge representing the 𔄙 Dollar for Syrian Refugees” campaign.

“We know that people care – and we're asking them to show it, by giving even this small amount to Syrians in need. All it takes is $1 from 64 million people,”  Cousin continued.

Since the Syrian conflict erupted in 2011, WFP has succeeded in meeting the food needs of both refugees and millions of displaced people inside Syria, despite the fighting and problems of access.

This has been possible because of long-term donor funding for WFP operations and cooperation between WFP staff, partner organizations and host governments in the region. The agency has stressed that it is critical for this funding and cooperation to continue.