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December 4th, 2014

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The Danish government has announced it has set aside 10 million kroner for the Syrian interim government's wheat program that will help feed over 2.5 million Syrians in opposition-controlled areas.

The funds stem from the government's Peace and Stabilising Fund, which aims to support the moderate opposition in Syria.

"To promote a political solution and stabilise the situation in Syria, it's important to support the nation's moderate opposition and the Syrian civil society so they become better at meeting their citizens' needs themselves,” Mogens Jensen, the trade and development minister, said in a press release.

"So we are now supporting the interim government's purchasing, transportation and distribution of wheat to contribute to the feeding of 2.5 million Syrians who need food before winter sets in.”

READ MORE: More aid earmarked for Syria

Huge wheat decline
According to the UN, upwards of 6.3 million Syrians are vulnerable and in critical need of food and agricultural support in a situation that has been exacerbated by a long-standing drought that has limited food production in the war-torn nation.

Wheat production, which is one of the pillars of Syrian stability, is expected to fall by 70 percent this year – the worst decline in 42 years – and other prognoses predict a further collapse of wheat production.

The project will be undertaken in co-operation with the German development organisation GIZ and will run from December 2014 to March 2015.