Urgent Update: Syria Faces Worst Drought in Decades Amid Recovery

URGENT UPDATE: Syria is grappling with the worst drought in decades, severely threatening its fragile recovery from a brutal 14-year civil war. The dire situation has led to widespread crop failures and significant water shortages, leaving millions of Syrians facing increasing food insecurity.

As the drought grips the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, vital rivers and lakes are drying up, and major cities are experiencing days-long water cutoffs. The drought follows years of declining rainfall, with experts noting that Syria’s agricultural crisis is compounded by the financial devastation left in the wake of the conflict.

Farmers like Mansour Mahmoud al-Khatib in the Damascus suburb of Sayyida Zeinab are feeling the impact acutely. Al-Khatib reported that his land typically yields up to 900 kilograms of wheat per dunam, but this year, he harvested only a quarter of that. “This season is weak — you could call it half a season,” he stated, highlighting the severity of the crop failures.

According to Jalal Al Hamoud, national food security officer for the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization, the current drought follows years of war that left farmers financially strained and ill-equipped to cope with such devastating conditions. In a pre-war context, Syria produced between 3.5 million to 4.5 million tons of wheat annually, sufficient to meet domestic needs. Now, the country is expected to harvest only 1 million tons this year, forcing the government to import 60% to 70% of its wheat to feed its 23 million citizens.

The World Food Program warns that half of Syria’s population is food-insecure, and total reliance on imports and foreign aid is unsustainable. The government has started signing contracts for wheat imports while also seeking donations from neighboring countries such as Iraq.

The drought is not just an agricultural crisis but also a humanitarian one. In Syria’s Idlib province, farmers report dead fish littering the dried riverbeds, and many are unable to afford digging wells for irrigation. “There is no compensation for the loss of crops,” lamented local farmer Dureid Haj Salah, emphasizing the desperate situation facing his community.

In addition to the drought, Syria is facing multiple crises, including ongoing sectarian violence and the daunting cost of post-war reconstruction, estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars. The lack of jobs and stability makes it unlikely that millions of refugees will return home.

The drought’s impact extends beyond Syria’s borders, with neighboring Lebanon experiencing water shortages that further exacerbate the crisis. A critical dam on the Litani River is at an all-time low, with water levels dropping significantly this year.

Experts warn that the Middle East and Mediterranean regions are heading towards more severe climate shocks. Professor Matti Kummu from Aalto University noted that climate change trends point towards a drier future for Syria, with reduced rainfall and unsustainable water usage already in play.

Immediate actions are needed to mitigate the impacts of this drought, including improved irrigation systems and rainwater harvesting. However, without substantial support, the future viability of Syria’s agricultural sectors remains uncertain.

The situation in Syria is urgent, and as the drought continues to worsen, the need for international attention and aid is critical. Authorities are calling for immediate support to address the growing humanitarian crisis amid ongoing instability.