WFP's Funding Shortfall: What It Means for Syrian Refugees and Local Retailers in Jordan

Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in March 2011, Jordan has received over 600,000 registered Syrian refugees, the majority of whom reside in Jordanian host communities. The World Food Programme (WFP) in Jordan provides food assistance to Syrian refugees via its food e-voucher program, through which refugees can purchase food items from select Jordanian retailers. However, due to donor funding shortfalls, the WFP has reduced the value of these vouchers. This workshop project examined the impact of this funding shortfall on refugee coping strategies and the Jordanian retail food sector using a mixed methods approach. It also aimed to provide the WFP with tools to examine alternate program scenarios and their potential outcomes.