The destruction from war drills deep scars on the hearts of people and economic infrastructure. As the front lines of Syria saw the year-long resilience ceasing, a new battle is seeing rise. Currently, 90% of people in Syria live in extreme poverty. The basic resources are scarcely available and starvation looms with high prices and food shortage. Families are skipping meals in order to survive. According to the United Nations (U.N.), more than 15 million people in Syria need humanitarian assistance in 2023.

The Impact on Children 

Gunsmoke constantly surrounds children in Syria. The long years of conflict have left many children with the loss of guardians, friends and innocence. Further, the psychological effect of the continuous dispute and loss suffered will remain unknown.

Education remains the least of the concerns in war-stricken Syria. Half of the million school-aged children are deprived of schooling. Instead, they are hurled into child labor or recruited for fighting. The near-destruction of houses in buildings has left no room for educational institutions. Children have completely lost track of their studies and are most likely to drop out completely. Unfortunately, this creates the risk of poverty and despair for future generations.

Psychological Impact on Citizens

The widespread poverty and limited sources of income have pushed the people into an exasperated state. Moreover, many families have lost an earning member of the family. The continuing conflict in Syria has tragically led to the loss of more than 306,000 civilian lives, representing approximately 1.5% of the population that existed before the conflict began.

Adding to the losses and the crippling poverty is the damaging mental health which has driven up to 50 cases of suicide and more, as recorded in Syrian government files. 

The Syrian Refugee Crisis

The crisis traces back to 2011 and has come down to the displacement of 6.8 million Syrians seeking shelter in their own homes. Most refugees are found in countries like Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Iraq. Still, 70% of refugees live in extreme poverty with the absence of basic supplies.

A Helping Hand in an Hour of Trouble

Investing or starting a business suffers heavy losses in Syria due to disruption and shortage of resources. With poverty taking its toll, humanitarian assistance seems the only way to stabilize the economy. According to the World Bank, Syria’s GDP could drop by 3.2% in 2023. 

The humanitarian assistance has provided some relief to poverty in Syria. There have been local NGOs that have provided the necessary help and above all UNICEF has worked to improve the basic areas like the water supply system which is cost-effective and climate-friendly, providing a limited supply of electricity and providing nutrient-rich diets and education to children. 

– Asra Mairaj
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