A U.N. World Food Program emergency coordinator for Syria urged Japan and the rest of the international community Friday to come up with more funding to supply food aid to Syrians both inside and outside the country.
Speaking at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Muhannad Hadi said the WFP needs $500 million to keep the program running until the end of the year, helping 4 million civilians in Syria and 2 million refugees in nearby countries. The group is already facing a $176 million shortfall, he said.
"We are asking everybody to help us," Hadi said. "It's important for everybody to support humanitarian efforts in Syria. Otherwise we are going to see a catastrophe in the region."