SYRIA 11 YEARS LATER: HUNGER, DROUGHT AND A COLLAPSING ECONOMY Risk more misery for millions, IRC warns

New York, NY March 15, 2022 — After 11 years of conflict, the humanitarian needs of Syrians continue to reach record levels. Over a decade of conflict and displacement is being exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19, a devastating drought and now a collapsing economy that is leaving millions of vulnerable Syrians struggling to survive. Meanwhile, the recent invasion of Ukraine threatens to have a devastating impact on food prices for already financially strapped families.

In the war-torn country, more than 60% of the population – 12 million people – are starving and wondering how to put food on the table for their families.

The average food price is at its highest level in the last nine years, with increases in the price of basic necessities, water and transport, combined with a significant depreciation in the value of the Syrian pound and the Turkish lira (commonly used in north-western Syria). ) families dangerously overwhelmed. According to OCHA, average household expenses in Syria now exceed disposable income by up to 50%.

Without adequate access to livelihoods or humanitarian assistance, many Syrians are now resorting to extreme methods to survive.

Tanya Evans, the IRC’s country director in Syria, said:

“Our teams and partners in Syria continue to experience the devastating effects on families who have endured more than 11 years of conflict and crisis. Many tell us they are at the breaking point now. In a recent IRC poll in north-west Syria, 46% of respondents told us that it is now common for children to drop out of school to work and provide for their families. The situation is particularly dire for women and girls, with one in four respondents telling us that it is common for members of their community to resort to child marriage to cope with rising poverty. The IRC and our partners work tirelessly to support vulnerable women and girls in Syria, but as needs outweigh available services, we are increasingly concerned for those who fall through the cracks.”

In 2021, Syria experienced its worst drought in more than 70 years. Impaired access to drinking water, electricity generation and irrigation water for millions. The water crisis decimated the country’s wheat crop, with production falling from 2.8 million tonnes in 2020 to just 1.05 million tonnes in 2021. As a result, wheat prices are now at record highs, further straining already stretched household budgets. Even before the drought, Syria was increasingly dependent on imports to have enough wheat in the country. With most wheat imports coming from Russia, the lingering effects of the invasion of Ukraine are likely to have far-reaching and potentially devastating implications for food insecurity in Syria in 2022 and beyond.

David Miliband, President and CEO of the IRC said:

“Eleven years into the Syrian conflict, Syrians inside and outside the country find themselves at the center of a catastrophic mix of violence, hunger, poverty and isolation that this year promises to only get worse. Ukraine rightly dominates global headlines, but we shouldn’t forget the places where the laws of war and accountability have been flouted for years. Syria is a prime example where violations of international humanitarian law have become the norm. Now is not the time to turn your back on the Syrian people.”

“For those in need of humanitarian assistance in the north of the country, there is a risk that the looming threat to cross-border operations is the latest in a long line of cases in which the international community has failed to protect ordinary civilians and to supply. We can and must do better to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that those in need of humanitarian assistance are not left behind.”

As Syria marks another year of conflict and deepening crisis, the IRC calls on the international community to:

• Adequate funding for the forthcoming biennial humanitarian response plan, recognizing both the increasingly serious immediate needs that need to be addressed and support for sustained medium-term interventions.
• Ensure that the UN Security Council re-approves the provisions of transboundary Resolution 2585 in July 2022 for a further 12 months to avoid a material deterioration in the humanitarian situation.
• Prioritize the protection of civilians, humanitarian actors and civilian infrastructure by reaffirming the importance of compliance with international humanitarian law and increasing efforts to hold perpetrators of violations of international humanitarian law in Syria accountable.

Notes for editors

• Syria is ranked ninth this year on the IRC Watch List – a global annual list of humanitarian crises likely to get significantly worse in the year ahead.
• The results of the IRC survey, which covered municipalities in north-west Syria at household level between March 2021 and February 2022, revealed the following:
  • 51% of HA surveyed stated that women do not have access to women’s centers/safe rooms.
  • 59% of HHs surveyed indicated that children do not have access to safe spaces for children or young people.
  • 50% of respondents said they felt uncomfortable walking alone at night. The percentage is higher for female respondents (74%).
  • Only a third of the households surveyed see the situation in the next three months as more secure. (29% believe it will be less safe and 38% believe it will stay the same)
• The results of the IRC survey, which covered municipalities in north-western Syria at the community level between March 2021 and February 2022, showed the following:
  • 25% indicated that it is common for community members to rely on early marriage as a coping mechanism.
  • 46% reported that it is common for community members to kick children out of school to work as a coping mechanism.
  • 45% said it is common for community members to rely on begging as a coping mechanism.
• The results of the IRC survey, which covered communities in north-eastern Syria at household level between January and December 2021, revealed the following:
  • 62% (4,731) reported difficulties in accessing food.
  • 43% (3,288) reported having out-of-school children.
  • 66% (5,059) reported that women in their households face difficulties accessing health services in their area. The most reported challenges where:
    • “Cost of medicine” reported by 73%
    • “Drugs are not available” reported by 57%
    • “Health care costs” reported by 52%
  • 61% (4,626) reported that men in their households face difficulties accessing health services in their area.
    • “Cost of medicine” reported by 76%
    • “Health care costs” reported as 55%
    • “Drugs are not available” reported by 52%

The IRC in Syria:

The IRC has been working in Syria since 2012, responding to needs in the north-west and north-east. The IRC promotes economic recovery with vocational training, apprenticeships and support for small businesses. IRC teams support early childhood development and provide counseling and protection services for women and children, particularly survivors of violence. We support healthcare facilities and mobile healthcare teams with life-saving trauma services, primary, reproductive and mental health services. Our response to COVID-19 includes promoting awareness campaigns and training healthcare workers in infection prevention and control. The IRC also supports Syrian refugees in Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon.

Cross-border:

In 2021, 6.8 million people in non-government controlled parts of the North West and 2.6 million in the North East were in need of assistance (OCHA). The last crossing for cross-border aid expires in July 2022 and there are currently no viable alternatives. Without cross-border UN operations, it will be nearly impossible for humanitarian actors to meet rising needs in 2022, let alone meet existing ones. It is therefore crucial that the UN Security Council re-authorises the cross-border mechanism for another twelve months when 2585 expires in July 2022.

About IRC

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping restore health, security, education, economic well-being and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the invitation of Albert Einstein, IRC operates in over 40 countries and over 20 US cities to help people survive, take back control of their futures and strengthen their communities. Learn more at www.rescue.org and follow IRC on Twitter and Facebook.