After 13 years of war, Syria’s catastrophic economy is pushing people beyond desperation.

13 years of war and crisis have taken an all too heavy toll on Syria’s population; hundreds of thousands are dead, millions are displaced and basic services, such as education, healthcare, and water and sanitation have either been severely disrupted or completely destroyed.

Syria’s economy continues to deteriorate at an alarming scale causing additional suffering and despair among a population that has already suffered incomprehensibly. Throughout 2023, inflation was 137% resulting in a huge price increase in everyday essentials, including food, which has affected not only people's quality of life and social stability, but also their mental health.

"My colleagues in Syria are painting a grim and dystopic image of the situation in the country. There is no diesel for heating, so people burn plastic, clothes, and everything they can find to stay warm. The price of food has risen to the point that many people only eat once a day and the price of medicine has skyrocketed," says DRC Secretary General, Charlotte Slente.

Homelessness and poverty are visible on the streets, as people have lost their jobs, incomes, and homes due to the economic crisis.

Many are struggling to afford basic necessities, such as food, housing, fuel, and health care and families are forced to remove their children from education and send them to work, or beg, to earn a little bit more for the household.