Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director and Director of Operations at the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), announced that the program is facing a severe funding shortage in Syria. He called on the international community to ease sanctions on the country and invest in programs that achieve rapid change for the Syrian people, especially in light of the country's transitional phase.
These statements came during an interview Skau gave to Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of his participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025, which is being held from April 11 to 13 with the wide participation of heads of state, foreign ministers, and international organizations.
Skaau explained that the program currently provides humanitarian assistance to approximately 1.5 million people inside Syria and is striving to expand its operations in the country through a network of seven regional offices, in light of a sharp decline in global funding.
He emphasized that the program is working in cooperation with local authorities, focusing on supporting social protection systems, operating bakeries, and restoring national food security. He noted that the humanitarian response remains threatened by scarce resources.
Skaw said, "We are showing intense activity in Syria, and we call on the international community to ease sanctions and invest in programs that have a tangible impact on the ground."
Skaw praised the existing cooperation with Turkey, describing it as a "vital logistics hub" for the program's operations in the region, as Turkish territory has provided an important outlet for delivering humanitarian aid, particularly to Syria.
He also revealed that the World Food Program has invested more than $1 billion in Turkey over the past five years and is currently planning to establish a permanent logistics center in the country to support its relief operations in the Middle East and crisis areas.
Skaw also addressed the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, noting that the WFP was the second largest UN aid provider after UNRWA and succeeded during the ceasefire period in delivering aid to nearly one million people per month, in addition to operating 25 bakeries and establishing field kitchens to provide hot meals.
However, Skaw warned that food supplies in Gaza are on the verge of running out due to the closure of the crossings for nearly a month, threatening to exacerbate the humanitarian situation to an unprecedented degree.
He concluded his remarks by saying, "We are deeply concerned about what may happen in the coming days, given the lack of clear signs of reopening the crossings or delivering aid."
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