UN says 500,000 to get food aid in Syria

Even after the increase, the U.N. says there are still around a million more who don't have enough to eat, AP reported.

The World Food Program says it will provide food for 250,000 people by the end of the month with help from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. It plans to quickly double that "in the coming weeks" and focus on Homs, Hama, Idleb and Damascus.

It says Syrian refugees in neighboring Jordan began getting its hot meals this week.

Spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said Tuesday the WFP fed 50,000 in December and is "deeply concerned" hunger could spread further.

The U.N. says 1.4 million people in Syria struggled to feed themselves even before the start of the conflict.