Explode prices: Syrians in the cold - bread becomes a luxury!

Explode prices: Syrians in the cold - bread becomes a luxury!

In Syria, where dictator Bashar al-Assad's rule has collapsed, the population is facing a dramatic humanitarian crisis. According to Slawomir Dadas, chairman of the Christian Orient Initiative (ICO), the situation in the country remains tense, despite a largely peaceful coup in the former government area. He warned that many people live in poverty - even before the fall, over 90 percent of the population lived in precarious conditions. The economic hardship is now exacerbated by rising prices for essential goods such as bread. The cost of a flatbread has increased from 400 to an alarming 2,000 Syrian lira, which is not affordable for many, as those affected in Damascus complain. According to a report by tagesschau.de The mood is tense due to the queues in front of the bakeries, while people are hoping for subsidized bread.

Economic hardship and social tensions

The economic and social situation in Syria is still devastating after the breakdown of the regime. Dadas said that despite the absence of fighting in many parts of the country, people slide into misery, which is only reinforced by international sanctions. These mainly affect the civilian population and contribute to the misery. Women and secular Muslims in particular are facing increasing pressure from militant militias that are already on the streets, as ICO managing director Michlin Alkhalil reported. She warned that many people are afraid that Syria could turn into a new Libya. It was also observed that shops and schools had to close and Christmas parties will take place in the churches, while the usual urban life is currently missing.

To help people in need, the ICO has already started projects such as supporting refugee children and traumatized people in Aleppo. Dadas emphasizes the need for continued help, even if public interest may wane. The UN has warned that the need for humanitarian aid in Syria has increased enormously and announced that Germany has provided €8 million in short-term support. Nevertheless, the financing of the current emergency aid plan is far from sufficient to alleviate the immense need. “After almost 14 years of civil war, the need is huge,” said Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN emergency relief office OCHA.