The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry, is expanding and extending its Subsidized Bread Programme through March 2026, supported by a generous contribution from the United States government. Starting in January 2026, the programme will operate through more than 300 bakeries nationwide, providing daily bread assistance to over 4 million people, including displaced families and returnees.
Marianne Ward, WFP Syria Country Director, emphasized the critical role of bread in sustaining food security, social cohesion, and stability, noting that expanding the programme is essential to prevent a broader crisis in the country. Bread remains a vital lifeline for Syrian families, symbolizing resilience and hope amid ongoing economic hardship.
The Subsidized Bread Programme is a government-led initiative that increases access to fortified bread at affordable prices in Syria’s most food-insecure areas. WFP procures and supplies fortified wheat flour to participating bakeries while ensuring compliance with humanitarian standards and monitoring requirements. Under the programme, bread is sold at a subsidized price of approximately 2,500 SYP per bundle, allowing vulnerable populations to maintain access to this essential staple.
Since its launch in June 2025, WFP has supported over 100 bakeries across nine governorates, reaching around 2 million people. With the new U.S. contribution, the programme will double its reach, benefiting more than 4 million Syrians through March 2026. Ward highlighted that the partnership strengthens food security, social cohesion, and community resilience, investing in dignity and recovery for vulnerable families.
In addition to the subsidized bread initiative, WFP continues to provide emergency food and cash assistance, livelihoods support, school feeding, and nutrition programmes. These combined interventions reached over 6.8 million people across Syria in 2025, with priority given to households experiencing the most severe food insecurity.
