DAMASCUS, 14th March, 2018 (WAM) -- Seven years of war in Syria have brought intolerable suffering to millions of people, the World Food Programme, WFP, representative said in a statement.

In many parts of the country, the violence has reached unbearable levels, with families experiencing daily bombardment and shelling.

More than a third of Syria's population is internally displaced as people make desperate attempts to reach safety. With this continuous displacement come alarmingly high levels of hunger and need. Some 6.5 million people in Syria are food insecure and another four million people - twice as many as a year ago - are at risk of becoming so.

"Every day that goes by without a resolution to this crisis is another day where we have failed the people of Syria," said Jakob Kern, WFP Representative and Country Director in Syria. "The single greatest priority must be an end to this conflict. History will hold us accountable."

While there are glimmers of hope and many stories of human resilience, fighting continues to rage unabated on multiple fronts including, Eastern Ghouta in Rural Damascus, in the southern governorate of Dara'a, and to the north, in Idlib and Afrin. Civilians bear the heaviest toll.

Since the conflict started, food prices have soared beyond the reach of many. Bread is now eight times more expensive compared to pre-crisis times.

WFP adds its voice to the call for peace and urges all parties to the conflict to allow safe, unhindered and unconditional humanitarian access for the delivery of food and other life-saving assistance to those who are so desperately in need.

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