BEIRUT: The World Food Program says it aims to feed 2.5 million Syrians next month, up from 1.7 million today, because of rising needs as more Syrians are displaced by the civil war.

The U.N. estimates that nearly 4 million of Syria's 22 million people have been driven from their homes by the fighting, including those who fled to neighboring countries and some 2 million who are moving from shelter to shelter inside Syria.

Many of the internally displaced need food aid, along with those who remain in their homes but have trouble finding food as the Syrian economy is collapsing.

Spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said Friday that World Food Program fed 1.7 million Syrians in February. She says that will rise to 2 million in March and 2.5 million in April.