Dear friend,
With so much happening in the world, news of the crisis in Syria doesn’t always make the headlines. The war in Ukraine has drawn an outpouring of support and solidarity, and has reminded us of our shared humanity as we hear of families torn apart or forced to flee. This same conflict has also pushed millions of Syrians deeper into hunger, poverty, and reliance on humanitarian aid. Learn more about how the war in Ukraine is affecting the crisis in Syria ▸
The reality of the crisis in Syria cannot be ignored: over 14 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in 2022 — an increase of 1.2 million from last year. More than a decade of conflict has taken its toll on the country, and climate disasters and global food shortages are making the situation even more dire.
Mercy Corps has worked alongside Syrian communities since before the start of the conflict more than 11 years ago. Our teams and partners have provided emergency assistance like food, water, and cash to help with immediate needs. And our programs support the long-term emergence of a more stable economy, through increasing job skills and economic opportunities for women and youth.
One of our Syria program participants is a 24-year-old woman who became responsible for supporting her sister’s four children (in addition to her own three children) after her husband and her sister suddenly passed away. She participated in a Mercy Corps training to learn about accounting, sales, marketing, and other business skills. She also received a financial grant of $800 to help her start a shop and pay for her inventory.
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"Before receiving the support from Mercy Corps, I used to make 20 SYP per day, but now I make 150 SYP per day. We used to skip meals because we did not have enough money. But now, the situation is much better. We do not have to skip meals anymore."
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— NAME WITHHELD FOR SAFETY, SYRIA
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In a nearby village, a 39-year-old farmer and father to three children participated in an agricultural training with Mercy Corps. He received seeds, fertilizer, and weather-proofing materials for his greenhouse.
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"I use my income to cover my family’s need of food, shelter, clothes, education and health. I also use a small amount to support other people in the community."
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— NAME WITHHELD FOR SAFETY, SYRIA
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Despite the challenging drought conditions, this farmer has grown four tons of cucumbers in his greenhouse. With an increase of 50 percent on his income from the sale of his cucumbers at the local market, he has been able to drastically improve how much he can provide for his family.
As the conflict draws on, we remain dedicated to our response — it’s the commitment we made to 17 million Syrians still living in the country.
As Mercy Corps’ Syria Country Director, I can tell you that the people of Syria, including our many Syrian team members facing the day-to-day reality of the conflict, provide a powerful force for positive change. Together, they are working to chart a brighter path forward for themselves and their communities.
In partnership,
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Kieren Barnes
Syria Country Director
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P.S.
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