Tehran – The World Food Program (WFP) published a report in May, explaining its activities in Iran.
In May, WFP Food Aid reached 33,190 beneficiaries, including refugees from Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as Iranian teachers. Refugees are supported by a food basket of staple foods containing fortified flour (12 kg per person) and vegetable oil (810 ml per person per month).
Under cash-based remittances, following the revision of WFP’s Minimum Expense Basket (MEB) in November 2024, the Centre for Alien and Foreign Immigration Affairs (CAFIA) confirmed the adjustments to cash transfer value starting in January.
In May, WFP continued to provide increased cash transfers to better support essential cost of living. This amount doubled from 2.5 million ($3.6 USD) to USD 5 million ($7.2 USD) for households with heads, and USD 6 million ($8.7 USD) for women.
WFP provided 2,606 refugee girls with a monthly cash incentive of 2 million ($2.9 USD) IRRs in their bank accounts. This is part of WFP Iran’s efforts to promote education for refugee girls by providing cash for each month of regular school attendees.
By May, WFP Iran helped ease the financial burden associated with the gluten-free dietary needs of 52 refugee celiac patients from WFP beneficiaries by providing rial 9.7 million (US$14.13) per person in place of regular food implementation fees.
WFP’s school feeding program reached 9,239 refugee students and their teachers in May, with daily snacks consisting of milk, a date bar and/or fortified biscuits.
WFP supported 379 disability refugees in 10 settlements in May, each receiving an additional monthly cash assistance of US$3 million (USD4.3) in addition to regular aid. In May, support was first introduced to two refugee settlements in two provinces, after covering the provinces of Carman, Lorestan, Western Azerbaijan, Fars, Kuzestan, Markazi, Kurosan Razabi and Semnan.
In May, to increase the economic resilience and self-sufficiency of 373 refugees (49% of women), WFP continued its support for its 26 income-generating initiative across 18 settlements. Activities include welding, tailoring, baking, and agriculture.
In 2024, WFP provided a combination of in-kind and cash assistance to address the food needs of Iran’s more than 33,000 vulnerable refugees. As a result, 70% were able to consume food at acceptable levels. This remains almost stable compared to the previous year.
Since August, WFP has increased the value of cash transfer eligibility by 25% and has actively supported refugees to alleviate the immediate economic challenges reported by refugees.
The WFP has maintained its presence in Iran since 1987, focusing primarily on addressing the food security needs of refugees from Afghanistan. Iran has hosted refugees for over 40 years. Most refugees live in urban, urban and rural areas, often integrated with host communities, along with people in refugee-like circumstances. However, the most vulnerable refugees living in 20 settlements in 13 states face a volatile food security situation that requires ongoing humanitarian assistance from the WFP.
WFP provided eligible refugees living in their residences with food assistance, education support and livelihood opportunities through physical food distribution, unconditional cash transfers and capacity building initiatives.
Given the economic situation in Iran in recent years, Afghan refugees face many challenges, particularly among the people of the settlement, including a decline in income opportunities and a decline in purchasing power that have affected food security and well-being. In response, WFP coordinated the Provisional National Strategic Plan (ICSP 2023-2027) by changing cash qualifications and food, adjusting the number of beneficiaries, extending the ICSP for two years and extending the UN Sustainable Development Framework for two years, and ensuring the support of UNSDF 2023-2027, as needed.
The WFP carried out activities under the ICSP to maintain support for these refugees and address the increased humanitarian needs of these refugees. Living in 20 villages in 13 Iranian provinces, there are around 35,000 most vulnerable documented refugees who benefit from the food aid provided by WFP.
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