Syria

Humanitarian Overview - The ongoing events in Syria continue to impact the humanitarian situation resulting in significant humanitarian needs. According to WFP, around 1 million people were identified as being in need of assistance. In addition, tens of thousands of Syrians have registered with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in neighboring countries, particularly Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. There has also been a significant negative impact on families’ livelihoods across Syria. Access to basic needs including food, water, electricity and medical supplies has been interrupted in areas witnessing armed activities. A growing number of main breadwinners have become unemployed. Also, soaring food and fuel prices across the country has exacerbated the situation.

Food Security Component - The FAO Global Information Early Warning System (GIEWS) has released a special alert for the Syrian Arab Republic, citing continued civil unrest that is threatening food security in the country, particularly for vulnerable groups. According to the World Food Programme, approximately 1.4 million people have become food insecure since the start of the civil unrest. The outlook for the 2012 winter cereal crops could suffer due to disruptions in overall agricultural activities and limited access to fertilizer and seeds. It is also reported that civil insecurity in several areas has prevented farmers from accessing their farmland during the harvest. Imports have also been affected due to economic and trade sanctions, as well as a 30 percent tax imposed on goods imported from Turkey.