Policies

Addressing the Education and Food Insecurity Crisis in Syria

Context

Since the onset of the crisis in Syria in March 2011, the population has faced extreme challenges. Internal displacement, loss of livelihoods, and inflated food prices have caused food insecurity and pushed over 8 in 10 Syrians below the poverty line. Additionally, the crisis has significantly impacted children's education, leading to a decline in school enrolment, attendance, and retention.

Solution

To tackle the challenge of food insecurity and declining education indicators, the World Food Programme (WFP) initiated the Education and School Feeding (ESF) portfolio in Syria in 2014. This comprehensive initiative aimed to support primary school children, both girls and boys, through three modalities:

1. In-kind distribution of date bars.
2. Cash-based transfers for Curriculum B students.
3. Distribution of fresh meals.

Impact and Insights

By 2019, the ESF portfolio had been deployed across 13 of the 14 governorates in Syria, benefitting 782,000 primary school children across 2,800 schools. These modalities were coherently integrated into WFP's broader programs, including the Emergency Operation (EMOP) 200339 (2011-2016), the Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) 200998 (2017), the Transitional Interim Country Strategic Plan (TICSP) 2018, and the Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2019-2020.

Analysis

The ESF portfolio implemented by WFP in Syria represents a critical response to the interrelated and complex challenges of food insecurity and education disruption amidst the crisis. By reaching a significant number of primary school children with essential food support and integrating education initiatives, WFP has played a crucial role in addressing the adverse effects of the Syrian crisis on marginalized and vulnerable populations.