Published : 02-11-2022
More than a decade since the conflict in Syria began, the number of Syrians at risk of hunger has reached record high levels. The average cost of food in the country has, for months, been the highest.
Palestinians and Syrians trying to survive in the war-torn country continue to work for minimum wages.
In a poll conducted by AGPS, a Palestinian refugee said he had resigned from a job offering him no more than 160,000 Syrian pounds, which does not cover the cost of living in Damascus.
Another refugee said he also quitted his job and decided to work as a driver as his previous wage does not cover basic needs.
Economic researcher Younes Karim said the wage ceiling in Syria is 20 – 35 USD due to the decline in the purchasing value of the Syrian pound.
Over recent years, Palestinian refugee camps in Syria have been witnessing an increasing number of cases of counterfeiting and promotion of counterfeit currency, and traders and residents in the camps have fallen victim to the counterfeit dollar, which has caused many to lose their money in light of the sharp collapse in the value of the Syrian pound.
UN data indicates that an estimated 12.4 million people - about 60% of Syria’s population – suffer from food insecurity.
Syria faces multiple, interlinked crises. While active conflict has abated somewhat over the past year, rampant inflation and a severely struggling economy have increased needs to the point that they are outpacing families' abilities to cope.
Every day, Syrians can afford to buy less of what they need to survive. Their incomes and savings are declining in value as the costs of necessary goods – water, food, fuel, electricity – are increasing, becoming out of reach. On average, households are now spending 50% more than their incomes.
Families can no longer afford the fuel to run generators to power their homes, transport, and water systems. Across Syria, many people have less than four hours of public electricity per day. Higher fuel prices mean transport and daily labor is more expensive. Farmers have less money to plant their fields, while it costs more to irrigate their crops and transport their harvests to market.
Russia and Ukraine are among the most important grain exporters for the Middle East. According to the United Nations, the conflict in Ukraine could lead to a shortage of wheat supplies to the region. They report that Syria has already reacted by rationing its grain reserves, which has impacted prices for basic foods, such as bread and flour.
Environmental shocks, including record low rainfall, are also driving hunger. This year, Syria faced the worst drought in 70 years, crippling the expected harvest. Wheat production in 2021 was estimated to be about 1.045 million tons in 2021, down from 2.8 million in 2020, and only a quarter of the pre-crisis average.
Limited rainfall, as well as the decimated water infrastructure throughout the country, means that growing capacity – and the costs for farmers to try and make a living - is intolerably high.
More than a decade since the conflict in Syria began, the number of Syrians at risk of hunger has reached record high levels. The average cost of food in the country has, for months, been the highest.
Palestinians and Syrians trying to survive in the war-torn country continue to work for minimum wages.
In a poll conducted by AGPS, a Palestinian refugee said he had resigned from a job offering him no more than 160,000 Syrian pounds, which does not cover the cost of living in Damascus.
Another refugee said he also quitted his job and decided to work as a driver as his previous wage does not cover basic needs.
Economic researcher Younes Karim said the wage ceiling in Syria is 20 – 35 USD due to the decline in the purchasing value of the Syrian pound.
Over recent years, Palestinian refugee camps in Syria have been witnessing an increasing number of cases of counterfeiting and promotion of counterfeit currency, and traders and residents in the camps have fallen victim to the counterfeit dollar, which has caused many to lose their money in light of the sharp collapse in the value of the Syrian pound.
UN data indicates that an estimated 12.4 million people - about 60% of Syria’s population – suffer from food insecurity.
Syria faces multiple, interlinked crises. While active conflict has abated somewhat over the past year, rampant inflation and a severely struggling economy have increased needs to the point that they are outpacing families' abilities to cope.
Every day, Syrians can afford to buy less of what they need to survive. Their incomes and savings are declining in value as the costs of necessary goods – water, food, fuel, electricity – are increasing, becoming out of reach. On average, households are now spending 50% more than their incomes.
Families can no longer afford the fuel to run generators to power their homes, transport, and water systems. Across Syria, many people have less than four hours of public electricity per day. Higher fuel prices mean transport and daily labor is more expensive. Farmers have less money to plant their fields, while it costs more to irrigate their crops and transport their harvests to market.
Russia and Ukraine are among the most important grain exporters for the Middle East. According to the United Nations, the conflict in Ukraine could lead to a shortage of wheat supplies to the region. They report that Syria has already reacted by rationing its grain reserves, which has impacted prices for basic foods, such as bread and flour.
Environmental shocks, including record low rainfall, are also driving hunger. This year, Syria faced the worst drought in 70 years, crippling the expected harvest. Wheat production in 2021 was estimated to be about 1.045 million tons in 2021, down from 2.8 million in 2020, and only a quarter of the pre-crisis average.
Limited rainfall, as well as the decimated water infrastructure throughout the country, means that growing capacity – and the costs for farmers to try and make a living - is intolerably high.
