Wassan Nasreddin, Grade 12
UWC Li Po Chun
I hated the news as a child. Every evening, my parents would switch the TV on, change from one news channel to another to hear about what was happening in the world, while I just wanted to continue watching the cartoon that was on, or the TV show I had started with my siblings. However, not long after, it became a necessity that we all watched the news. That we all knew what was going on all the time. It was very surreal for me to witness the place I’ve known to be my safe home become this dangerous country that everyone talks about so fearfully in the media.
It has been nine years since the Syrian Civil War started. And despite thinking we had already hit rock bottom, the country is facing, yet again, another crisis. According to the world bank, Syria’s cumulative loss of GDP from 2011 to 2016 was a total of US$226 billion. As hundreds of companies went out of business, natural reserves were damaged, historical heritage sites were destroyed or stolen from, leading to dying tourism, and multiple economic sanctions applied, a drastic decline in GDP was bound to happen.
Recently, with demonstrations and a deep financial crisis in Lebanon blocking the flow of foreign currency into the country, the COVID-19 pandemic taking over the world, and the Caesar sanctions applied against Syria taking effect on June 17th earlier this year, the situation has worsened severely. According to the Middle East Online (MEO), the Syrian pound, which was worth 47 to the dollar prior to the conflict, reached a low record of 3000 pounds to the dollar on the black market in early June. It then went back to fluctuate between 2500-2800 pounds for the dollar. For a country with 82.5% of people already living under the poverty line (As of 2014), one can easily imagine what consequences Syrians have to deal with as a result of this issue: sky-rocketing prices, not nearly proportional to the average wages; a real struggle to secure their most basic needs; and an ever-growing fear of what the future holds.
The urgent question remains: are there any solutions to these issues? At the moment, a radical solution currently seems quite far-fetched. However, there are a few small-scale measures that could be implemented. For instance, those who live in foreign countries are helping their families back in Syria by sending them money; some have even organised initiatives amongst themselves to help other families in need. There is one group which I heard about from a friend in Turkey, who started an initiative called “10 Euros Against Hunger”, spanning across several countries. Their aim is to make groups of 10 in which each person would make a monthly contribution of €10. These small donations can then be sent to a certain Syrian family in need, developing a greater sense of solidarity among Syrians.
Even locally, some initiatives like “Nehna Qadha” which literally translates to “We’re Up For It”, were formed to provide food and other basic goods to those whose businesses have stopped for a while due to the virus outbreak. Additionally, some of those who cannot afford to help others financially, have taken it upon themselves to bring the public’s attention to the situation, in hopes that this might bring about change.
Moreover, humanitarian assistance can still be obtained, as the new Caesar law has not penalised it. The United Nations Office For The Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that the UN and its humanitarian partners have asked for a total of $3.3 billion to respond to humanitarian needs in Syria in 2020, in addition to $5.2 billion to respond to the needs of Syrian refugees. Some organisations, such as UNICEF are still helping Syrian children gain improved access to education and psychosocial support. UNICEF has also been helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 by sharing prevention and risk awareness materials.
While many people from my country are doing all they can, real change will not occur overnight. Syria is currently experiencing real adversity, a struggle more challenging than anything it has ever experienced before. With uncertainty enveloping the entire world, what does the future hold for Syria? And will this economic turmoil end anytime soon? I can only wonder and hope for a near solution.
It has been nine years since the Syrian Civil War started. And despite thinking we had already hit rock bottom, the country is facing, yet again, another crisis. According to the world bank, Syria’s cumulative loss of GDP from 2011 to 2016 was a total of US$226 billion. As hundreds of companies went out of business, natural reserves were damaged, historical heritage sites were destroyed or stolen from, leading to dying tourism, and multiple economic sanctions applied, a drastic decline in GDP was bound to happen.
Recently, with demonstrations and a deep financial crisis in Lebanon blocking the flow of foreign currency into the country, the COVID-19 pandemic taking over the world, and the Caesar sanctions applied against Syria taking effect on June 17th earlier this year, the situation has worsened severely. According to the Middle East Online (MEO), the Syrian pound, which was worth 47 to the dollar prior to the conflict, reached a low record of 3000 pounds to the dollar on the black market in early June. It then went back to fluctuate between 2500-2800 pounds for the dollar. For a country with 82.5% of people already living under the poverty line (As of 2014), one can easily imagine what consequences Syrians have to deal with as a result of this issue: sky-rocketing prices, not nearly proportional to the average wages; a real struggle to secure their most basic needs; and an ever-growing fear of what the future holds.
The urgent question remains: are there any solutions to these issues? At the moment, a radical solution currently seems quite far-fetched. However, there are a few small-scale measures that could be implemented. For instance, those who live in foreign countries are helping their families back in Syria by sending them money; some have even organised initiatives amongst themselves to help other families in need. There is one group which I heard about from a friend in Turkey, who started an initiative called “10 Euros Against Hunger”, spanning across several countries. Their aim is to make groups of 10 in which each person would make a monthly contribution of €10. These small donations can then be sent to a certain Syrian family in need, developing a greater sense of solidarity among Syrians.
Even locally, some initiatives like “Nehna Qadha” which literally translates to “We’re Up For It”, were formed to provide food and other basic goods to those whose businesses have stopped for a while due to the virus outbreak. Additionally, some of those who cannot afford to help others financially, have taken it upon themselves to bring the public’s attention to the situation, in hopes that this might bring about change.
Moreover, humanitarian assistance can still be obtained, as the new Caesar law has not penalised it. The United Nations Office For The Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that the UN and its humanitarian partners have asked for a total of $3.3 billion to respond to humanitarian needs in Syria in 2020, in addition to $5.2 billion to respond to the needs of Syrian refugees. Some organisations, such as UNICEF are still helping Syrian children gain improved access to education and psychosocial support. UNICEF has also been helping prevent the spread of COVID-19 by sharing prevention and risk awareness materials.
While many people from my country are doing all they can, real change will not occur overnight. Syria is currently experiencing real adversity, a struggle more challenging than anything it has ever experienced before. With uncertainty enveloping the entire world, what does the future hold for Syria? And will this economic turmoil end anytime soon? I can only wonder and hope for a near solution.
Bibliography:
https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syria-economic-crisis-bites-lack-humanitarian-access-costs-lives-everyhttps://middle-east-online.com/en/syria-devalues-pound https://www.indexmundi.com/syria/population_below_poverty_line.html#:~:text=Population%20below%20poverty%20line%3A,82.5%25%20(2014%20est.)
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2020/06/19/the-caesar-act-and-a-pathway-out-of-conflict-in-syria/
https://www.unocha.org/syrian-arab-republic/about-ocha-syrisyria#:~:text=The%20UN%20and%20its%20humanitarian,is%20asking%20for%20%245.2%20billion
https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/syrian-crisishttps://www.arab-reform.net/publication/syrias-growing-economic-woes-lebanons-crisis-the-caesar-act-and-now-the-coronavirus/
https://reliefweb.int/report/syrian-arab-republic/syria-economic-crisis-bites-lack-humanitarian-access-costs-lives-everyhttps://middle-east-online.com/en/syria-devalues-pound https://www.indexmundi.com/syria/population_below_poverty_line.html#:~:text=Population%20below%20poverty%20line%3A,82.5%25%20(2014%20est.)
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2020/06/19/the-caesar-act-and-a-pathway-out-of-conflict-in-syria/
https://www.unocha.org/syrian-arab-republic/about-ocha-syrisyria#:~:text=The%20UN%20and%20its%20humanitarian,is%20asking%20for%20%245.2%20billion
https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/syrian-crisishttps://www.arab-reform.net/publication/syrias-growing-economic-woes-lebanons-crisis-the-caesar-act-and-now-the-coronavirus/
www.unitedworldwide.co