UN, Jordan agree 30-day ration for hungry Syrians on border

GENEVA – The U.N. refugee agency says a United Nations team has reached a deal with Jordan’s government to deliver a 30-day food ration to thousands of people caught along the border with war-ravaged Syria.

UNHCR spokeswoman Ariane Rummery says a U.N. team met Monday with Jordanian border authorities and community leaders to discuss “distribution modalities” for the ration plan. It was not clear when the plan would take effect.

Jordan sealed the border area, known as the berm because of an earthen mound marking the frontier, after a June 21 suicide attack claimed by the extremist Islamic State group killed seven Jordanian troops and wounded 13.

Concerns have mounted that tens of thousands of Syrians could be facing starvation and dehydration after all aid deliveries, except occasional water shipments, stopped.