Drought in Syria Threatens Agriculture and Food Security

Drought in Syria Threatens Agriculture and Food Security
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A prolonged drought in Syria, particularly a severe one that lasted from 2006 to 2011, has had a devastating impact on the country’s agriculture and food security, Shia Waves Persian reported. The drought caused a widespread loss of crops, with approximately 75% of farmers experiencing total crop failure. In the northeast of the country, residents lost up to 80% of their livestock.

This environmental crisis led to a massive displacement of people, with an estimated 1.3 to 1.5 million Syrians migrating to urban centers by 2011. This internal migration, combined with the influx of 1.5 million refugees from the Iraq war, placed immense pressure on Syria’s infrastructure.

The persistent drought is linked to human-induced global warming, and the provision of adequate water has become a critical issue, often being a target of military operations during the ongoing civil conflict. Syria is identified as an “ecological hotspot” and ranks among the least resilient countries in the world, facing threats to its water resources, food security, and population growth.

The Syrian economy was heavily dependent on agriculture, which accounted for approximately one-quarter of its GDP and employed up to 47% of its workforce. The drought has exacerbated existing tensions and instability within the country.