Syria Faces Severe Drought Crisis: Millions on the Edge of Famine

Syria is currently grappling with its most severe drought in nearly four decades, a situation that is threatening the livelihoods of millions and exacerbating an already dire food crisis. With wheat harvests down by 40%, the implications of this drought are felt across the nation, where nearly 90% of the population lives in poverty.

The Struggles of Farmers

In the agricultural heartland of Syria, farmers like Maher Haddad are bearing the brunt of the drought. Haddad, who manages 40 dunums (approximately 10 acres) of land near the city of Hama, has seen his fields turn from golden wheat to barren earth. This year, his yield was only 190 kilograms (418 pounds) of wheat per dunum, a stark drop from the usual 400-500 kilograms he relies on for a sustainable income.

“This year was disastrous due to drought,” Haddad lamented, noting that his expenses for sowing were not met with a corresponding yield. With two teenage daughters to support, he has resorted to borrowing money from relatives to meet his family’s basic needs.

Haddad’s plight is not an isolated case; it reflects a broader trend across Syria, where the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) predicts a wheat shortfall of 2.73 million tonnes this year. This deficit is alarming, as it equates to the annual dietary needs of approximately 16.25 million people.

Rising Food Insecurity

Piro Tomaso Perri, a senior program officer for the FAO in Syria, has warned that without increased food aid or the capacity to import wheat, the hunger crisis is likely to worsen significantly. As of now, over 14 million Syrians—about six in ten people—are already struggling to secure enough food. Among them, 9.1 million are facing acute hunger, with 1.3 million in severe conditions. Additionally, 5.5 million are at risk of falling into crisis without urgent intervention.

Rainfall has plummeted by nearly 70%, impacting 75% of Syria’s rain-fed farmland. This drastic reduction in water availability is not just a statistic; it has tangible consequences for families. “This is the difference between families being able to stay in their communities or being forced to migrate,” Perri explained. Urban households are seeing rising bread prices, while rural families are witnessing the collapse of their livelihoods.

The Cost of Bread

For many families, including that of 39-year-old widow Sanaa Mahamid, the rising cost of bread has become a heavy burden. Mahamid, who has six children aged between nine and 20, relies on the wages of her two sons. However, their salaries are insufficient to cover basic living expenses.

Last year, a bag of bread cost her 500 Syrian pounds (approximately $4.1), but that price has skyrocketed to 4,500 Syrian pounds. To adequately feed her family, Mahamid needs two bags of bread daily, totaling 9,000 pounds, not including other necessary food items. “This is too much. This is just bread, and we still need other things,” she expressed, highlighting the dire situation many families are facing.

The Government’s Response

The current crisis presents a significant challenge for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is tasked with rebuilding Syria in the aftermath of a protracted 14-year conflict and the removal of former leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. International organizations, including the UN World Food Programme (WFP), are stepping in to provide bread subsidies for those at risk of severe food insecurity. However, aid officials caution that these measures are merely temporary solutions.

Marianne Ward, the WFP’s country director for Syria, emphasized the importance of keeping farmers engaged in agriculture. The organization has allocated $8 million in direct payments to small farmers—around 150,000 individuals—who have lost their entire crops. “If you’re not going to make money, you’re going to leave the land. And then you’re not going to have people who are going to be working in the agriculture sector, which is essential for the economy,” Ward stated.

Challenges in Agriculture

The agricultural sector in Syria has been severely impacted by years of war, economic collapse, and infrastructural damage. Dr. Ali Aloush, the agriculture director for the Deir al-Zour region, noted that wheat fields require irrigation four to six times per season. However, due to the drought, many farmers are unable to maintain adequate water supplies.

The cost of fuel, crucial for operating water pumps, has skyrocketed to between 11,000 and 12,000 Syrian pounds per liter, further complicating farmers’ efforts to irrigate their fields. With many already burdened by debt, the situation has become increasingly untenable.

Dr. Aloush mentioned that a priority for his department and the transitional government in Damascus is to invest in irrigation projects, such as solar-powered systems, to make water more accessible. However, such initiatives require time and resources—luxuries that wheat farmers currently do not possess.

The Need for Rain

As the drought continues to grip the nation, millions of Syrians are left with little choice but to hope for rain in the coming months. The outcome of this crisis will significantly influence the future of Syria’s agricultural landscape, food security, and the well-being of its population.

Key Facts

– Syria is experiencing its worst drought in 36 years.
– Wheat harvests have decreased by 40%, leading to a projected shortfall of 2.73 million tonnes.
– Approximately 14 million Syrians are facing food insecurity, with 9.1 million in acute hunger.
– The price of bread has increased from 500 to 4,500 Syrian pounds in the past year.
– The agricultural sector is severely impacted by years of conflict and economic collapse.

Source: www.bbc.com