Statements and reports issued by the United Nations and specialized agencies, including the World Food Program, have warned of the deteriorating food situation in Syria. The United Nations stated that Syria faces real food-related risks, while the World Food Program announced that a 40 percent decline in wheat production in the last season threatens 3 million people with severe hunger. This is due to the drought that struck the country in 2025, destroying 95 percent of crops, a situation not seen since the late 1980s.
In fact, the problem of drought and its impact on the deteriorating food situation is not limited to Syria alone, but extends to neighbouring countries. Drought has struck the entire Eastern Mediterranean region, thus affecting all its agricultural seasons. However, the situation in Syria was the most difficult. In addition to the drought, multiple political, economic, and security factors intervened, making the food crisis in Syria more serious than it has been in more than sixty years.
The most prominent factors in the escalation of the food crisis in Syria, in addition to drought and water shortages, are the heavy legacy left behind by the former regime, which affected all economic activity, especially the agricultural and livestock sectors. Most of these sectors were completely destroyed, and the workforce was dispersed. The third factor is the continued absence of an agricultural policy that suits the reality of the Syrian situation, including environmental developments, drought, water shortages, and land pollution, as well as the human conditions related to the changes that have occurred among the rural population in terms of their numbers and experience. All of this is in addition to the shortage of agricultural requirements, such as funding, fertilizers, and seeds. The fourth factor the decline in humanitarian aid, most of which has been halted, and the decline of most of what remains as a result of the economic crises. This situation could continue for more than six months, according to international experts’ estimations.
The prolongation of the crisis for the next six months foretells a grave danger, at least in doubling the number of people affected by famine. This could happen to a majority of the population, with approximately half of them in "severe food insecurity," and approximately one-sixth "at immediate risk of hunger."
The precarious food situation, both in reality and in expectations, requires multiple actions at the internal level, involving the government, its relevant departments, and all Syrians, each from their respective positions, responsibilities, and capabilities. The government is required to develop an emergency plan to confront the threats of the food crisis, outline ways to overcome them, and implement it with the utmost care and follow-up. This is in addition to a strategic plan aimed at providing food security and protecting Syrians against famine. These plans must be subject to scrutiny, attention, and follow-up at the highest level.
It goes without saying that no emergency plan, whether with specific objectives or a strategy that addresses a food crisis, can be drawn up or implemented without involving the broadest segments of society, or at least their representatives, in shaping the plan and actively participating in it, especially economic and social actors, civil society organizations, and community groups. The participation of community actors and groups will be of great value, because the issue touches on their most important needs, and their role in it is significant, whether as food producers or consumers. They are required to create a reserve in production that prevents subsequent threats to food security.
The government's responsibility does not stop at the domestic level, but extends to the external level, whether in its relationship with international organizations or with governments. Many of these countries have participated, directly or indirectly, in prolonging the war in Syria and the disasters it has caused. The deep food crisis is only one of the consequences of the war. Some of these countries played a role in delaying the lifting of sanctions on Syria after the fall of the Assad regime and the start of the process of rebuilding the country. They also contributed to halting or reducing international aid. All of this requires on the one hand a resumption of international aid, and on the other hand holding the countries that participated in the war responsible for paying compensation for the damages and losses they inflicted on Syria.
While international aid and the inevitable reparations will help address the drought crisis and its potential impact in Syria, the most important aspect of the solution is the role of Syrians, their government, and their society. This role, if engaged in a positive and creative manner, will significantly alter existing realities and restore the situation in the whole country.