The current rainy season has rekindled Syrian hopes, after four consecutive years of drought, particularly in the eastern region, the producer of the Syrian food basket comprising 57% of wheat, 69% of cotton, and 33% of sugar beet, and breeding 37% of sheep herds. It is also the source of 58% of Syrian water resources, in addition to its being the principal producer of oil and gas.
According to Syrian agronomical expert Dr. Riyadh Al-Shayib, "It not possible to discuss sustainable food security outside the eastern region or [without including] its role in the country's gross domestic product."
As a result of the drought, wheat production in 2008 was 82% lower than that of the previous year, and the barley season was lost with catastrophic implications for sheep breeders.
Other negative effects of the drought were the growth of both unemployment and the number of people living below the poverty line.
The United Nations has provided Syria with economic support totaling $53 million. However, Syria was unable to obtain assistance from donor countries because of the economic sanctions. Despite promises of improvement by the regime, it would appear that the Syrian citizen has no confidence except in "heaven's mercy."
Source: Al-Sharq al-Awsat, London, February 6, 2010
