Page 47 - AA 2023 Year Book Website

Syria

economy continues to weaken. In Sep- and domestically produced, including
tember 2022, the Central Bank of the agricultural and food products. Conse-
Syrian Arab Republic increased the offi- quent additional price increases at re-
cial exchange rate from SYP 2 800 to SYP tail level further constrained the already
3 015/USD 1, and in early January 2023 weakened purchasing power of the ma-
it raised it further to SYP 4 522/USD 1. jority of the population threatening their
On the parallel market, as of December food security.
2022, the United States dollar continued Based on the World Food Programme’s
to strengthen, reaching SYP 7 000 at the (WFP’s) Consolidated Approach for Re-
end of the month, well above its Decem- porting Indicators (CARI, used in the Hu-
ber 2021 level of SYP 3 500. For reference, manitarian Needs Overview, 2023), the
before the onset of the conflict in March food security and agriculture sector esti-
2011, USD 1 was traded for SYP 47. increases in food price inflation. For ex- mated that about 15 million people are in
ample, at the national level, between Sep-
Official estimates of the prevailing infla- need of some form of food and agricul-
tion have not been made available since tember 2020 and September 2022, the ture assistance (representing 68 percent
2020. However, elevated international average price of wheat flour increased by of the total population), of whom about
commodity prices, coupled with rapid 250 percent, from SYP 1 000 to SYP 3 500. 12.1 million are food insecure. About 2.9
the depreciation of the Syrian pound on The fuel scarcity and increase in fuel million people are estimated to be at risk
the parallel market indicate sustained prices led to a rise in transportation and of food insecurity.
freight charges for goods, both imported

FAO AND UNDP RESTORE THE IRRIGATION OPERATIONS

AT SECTOR 7 IN DEIR EZ-ZOR

The farmers in Al-Bukamal, Deir Ez- duction, addressing the sustainability of
Zor, celebrated the end of 2022 on a natural resources use through the en-
positive note, with the restoration of irri- hancement of local water management,
gation operation at the Sector 7 pumping as well as restoring irrigation infrastruc-
station, which is anticipated to irrigate ture. FAO’s Damascus-based irrigation
around 7,500 hectares of land in the area. team includes leading national experts
The FAO - UNDP partnership resulted in with long experience in all aspects of
the rehabilitation and replacement of the subject. They provide advice and
damaged equipment, such as generators recommendations on restoring access to
and water pumps, to get the water flow- water for farmers, to make a positive im-
ing again. gation schedules and fair distribution of pact on the lives of vulnerable people in
More than 10 000 farming families in water based on crop water requirements communities such as Al-Bukamal.
eight villages are excited at the prospect for the main cultivated crops in Sector 7.
of being able to resume farming activi- FAO is helping to establish seven Water
ties in both summer and winter seasons: User Associations and provide them with
“This fruitful collaboration with UNDP is the necessary training to manage water
aimed at improving the nutrition, food on behalf of the community.
availability and livelihoods of farmers in
the area who have faced terrible difficul- UNDP Resident Representative in Syr-
ties over the past few years.” said Mike ia, Mr Sudipto Mukerjee, highlighted that
Robson, FAO representative in the Syrian agriculture is a cornerstone of the Syrian
Arab Republic. economy. “Being an important driver to
job creation, our partnership with FAO,
A trial operation of the restored pump- using UNDP core resources, has enabled
ing station was successfully carried out us not only to rehabilitate the pumps but
at the end of December 2022, in the pres- also to improve the livelihoods of over
ence of the local community, who will 17,689 people, enhance food security in UNDP is the leading United Nations or-
later be receiving training and guidance remote rural areas, create 4,500 seasonal ganization fighting to end the injustice of
on operation and irrigation management farming job opportunities, and allow in- poverty, inequality, and climate change.
practices to sustain the operation of the creased returns,” he added. Working with our broad network of ex-
pumping station. A group of community perts and partners in 170 countries, we
members will be closely involved in irri- FAO is the leading technical agency help nations to build integrated, lasting
of the UN in Syria supporting food pro- solutions for people and the planet.

Arab Agriculture 2023 45