Syria is currently experiencing the worst drought in 60 years. Wheat losses are massive, and could affect up to 16.3 million people in a country that already has one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world.
The effects of the heatwave and global warming are not confined to France. In Syria, the FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation) is warning of the catastrophic state of the wheat harvest in the north-east of the country.
According to FAO experts, the country’s food reserves are in dire need of attention. Around 75% of arable land has been affected, and this figure rises to 95% for naturally watered land. Losses are estimated at between 2.5 and 2.7 million tonnes of wheat, according to the FAO.
The ongoing tensions between the Kurdish authorities and the central government are further complicating the coordinated delivery of wheat to the most troubled areas.
Heatwave alert: serious fires across the country
Another consequence of the extreme heatwave and global warming: for six days now, Syria has been ravaged by multiple fires. Around 10,000 hectares of woodland and farmland have been ravaged by flames.
This will further exacerbate the already extremely worrying humanitarian situation, particularly in terms of food supplies.
After years of conflict and severe economic hardship, 90% of the population is already living below the poverty line, and 14 million people are already food insecure, while looming wheat shortages could affect up to 16.3 million people in total.
The FAO is therefore sounding a red alert in view of the critical food insecurity situation in Syria.
Faced with this situation, Mehad is continuing its efforts to combat malnutrition in Syria, to help a population already heavily affected by more than a decade of war and particularly difficult living conditions.
