Al-Mikdad discusses with Fleischer the activities and projects of the World Food Program in Syria

Dr. Faisal Al-Mikdad, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates on Thursday received Corinne Fleischer, Regional Director of the World Food Program and the accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the activities and projects that the program is implementing in Syria, including early recovery projects, in addition to the various developments related to the program’s future plans, in a way that commensurates with the priorities and needs of the Syrians, and in cooperation and coordination with the Syrian government and the national partners of the program in Syria.

Minister  Al-Mikdad  presented a number of challenges facing Syria, especially after the earthquake, stressing in particular the tragic effects left by the illegal and immoral unilateral sanctions imposed on the Syrian people by Western countries, as well as the exorbitant costs of the continued American occupation by stealing the wealth of Syrians and depriving them of their wheat, oil and food. This has implications for the lives of Syrians and for the costs and projects of international and UN agencies and organizations operating in Syria.

In this regard, Al-Mikdad pointed to the need for the United Nations to reject any attempts to direct, divert and politicize humanitarian aid by some donors.

In turn, Fleischer emphasized the great importance that the program attaches to its projects in Syria and the existing cooperation between the WFP and the Syrian government and the various partners from the Syrian national authorities, praising the facilities provided by the government in this field.

Fleischer emphasized the priority of focusing on early recovery projects because of their tangible positive effects that lead to ending the beneficiaries’ dependence on humanitarian aid and providing them with the livelihoods they need, especially in light of the decrease in this funding and the program’s need to reduce the number of aid beneficiaries as a result.