Battling Hunger and Rebuilding Lives in Syria People in Need Providing Food Vouchers as a Lifeline to Syrians in northern Syria
By Zaynab Mayladan
On World Food Safety Day, we want to shed light on the dire situation millions of Syrians face. Many Syrians are forced to grapple with hunger and malnutrition caused by a series of devastating natural events coupled with the long-lasting effects of the war. This combination of factors has plunged families into profound hardship. We offer life-saving support by providing food vouchers to vulnerable families in northern Syria, enabling them to regain independence and rebuild their resilience.
Escalating Hunger Crisis
The earthquake that struck the region had dire economic consequences; it pushed an additional 665,000 Syrians into hunger. Before the earthquake, the number of acutely food-insecure individuals in Syria had already surpassed 12.1 million. According to a World Bank damage assessment, children have been particularly affected, with over 600,000 children under the age of five suffering from stunted growth due to malnutrition. The economic impact of the earthquakes has also caused a surge in food prices, making necessities unaffordable for many families.
Adding to the woes faced by Syrians, a severe hailstorm struck the Al-Jazeera region, damaging vital crops such as wheat, barley, potatoes, lettuce, and beans. In areas already grappling with the long-term effects of severe drought, estimates for the loss of critical food crops reached as high as 90% in certain areas. The destruction of agricultural production threatens the livelihood of Syrians in 12 villages, making access to food even more challenging.
To counter these issues, we support vulnerable families in northern Syria by providing more than 13,000 households with food vouchers. With support from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, families can now provide for their children and alleviate their hunger.
The Quest for Normalcy:
Khamis, 45, a father of four, vividly remembers the days before the war when life was much more promising. Job opportunities were abundant, and he could easily provide for his family. However, the war changed everything. Job opportunities dwindled, prices skyrocketed, and many people were displaced from their homes.
Khamis, who has a disability, found it increasingly challenging to make ends meet. PIN’s support has enabled him to provide for his children. “Now, I go to the grocery store every month to buy what we need,” he says, “Seeing my children hungry made me wish for nothing more than to feed them,” he says. No longer dependent on others for their basic needs, Khamis’ family can now afford to pay for food whilst still paying a significant portion of their meagre income as rent.
Rebuilding from Tragedy
Ali, a resilient 29-year-old, endured incredible hardships during the war. “In the past, I worked in car trading and owned two houses. During the war, the cars were burnt, my houses were destroyed, and my wife died.” After the loss of his wife, he took in four orphaned children. After years of searching, he finally located their mother, who had also lost her spouse.
Ali and the mother married, forming a blended family with 14 members. They live in a dilapidated room. Disabilities resulting from the war have hampered Ali’s ability to provide for his family.
The food vouchers, however, brought relief to their desperate situation and allowed them to buy the food they needed. “When I was informed that I was selected for the food vouchers, I felt as if my soul came back to life,” he adds.
The food vouchers, however, brought relief to their desperate situation and allowed them to buy the food they needed. “When I was informed that I was selected for the food vouchers, I felt as if my soul came back to life,” he adds.
Rising from Hardship:
Nashmiya, whose family relied on her deaf and mute brothers’ income, spoke of the vouchers’ vital role in providing food for their large family. Before the war, Nashmiya’s father worked abroad, and their family lived a comfortable life. However, the war shattered their security.
“Living conditions have become very difficult. On many days, if my brothers didn’t earn money, we would only eat bread. It was all that we could afford,” she says. Nashmiya and her mother resorted to selling cooked food to make ends meet. The food vouchers enabled them to buy essential foods, thus easing their burdens and ensuring their children were fed.
Faisal and Zubayda, a resilient couple in their fifties, reminisce about the paradise they once called home. “We lived in paradise; we had land where we grew all kinds of vegetables.” Their land flourished with bountiful crops, and they enjoyed a comfortable life. However, the war stripped them of their possessions and security. The subsequent economic turmoil forced them to ration their food, leaving their family hungry. Our food vouchers provided them with a lifeline. “Our situation has improved a lot after the food vouchers. We haven’t bought this quantity of food since the beginning of the war,” Zubayda says.
A Glimmer of Hope:
The loss of livelihood, displacement, and soaring food prices have left Syrians in desperate need of assistance. Although the challenges are immense, providing food vouchers has been a crucial lifeline for many Syrians and is a step towards rebuilding lives and ensuring food security. People in Need’s Food Voucher programme covers thousands of families in northern Syria, offering them the flexibility to purchase foods they need through remote charging systems. The financial value of the vouchers varies based on family size, ensuring that each member’s needs are met adequately. Through these efforts, organisations strive to improve food security and alleviate the economic burdens vulnerable communities face.
On World Food Safety Day, it is essential to remember the millions of Syrians battling hunger and malnutrition amidst the turmoil caused by unfortunate events. Together we can make a difference in the lives of these families and help them on their journey towards recovery and rebuilding.
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Battling Hunger and Rebuilding Lives in Syria
