Ongoing turbulence and lack of investments in Syria’s civilian infrastructure threaten any attempts that Syrians are making to recover after 14 years of crisis.
Syria: Turbulence and lack of investments impede people’s ability to recover
Some local markets in Syria are not prepared to absorb new workers, especially in the event of a mass return of people from within and outside the country, according to a new market assessment by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
The assessment, with large and medium-sized companies in Rural Damascus, Daraa, Aleppo, Homs and Hama, identified current trends and future outlooks among business owners. According to respondents, local markets have experienced a decline in production and trade activities since the fall of the previous government. This is despite changes in trade policies including more open-trade opportunities, reduction in favouritism in business operations, cuts in hefty fees on cargo transportation, and other measures, allowing a better flow of commercial goods across Syrian regions, according to those interviewed.
“Despite the relative improvement in prices over recent months, Syrian markets are suffering from a liquidity crisis and purchasing power that has reached rock-bottom levels,” said Federico Jachetti, the Norwegian Refugee Council's (NRC) Syria Country Office Director.
“We are observing a precarious market trend where the average Syrian family is still unable to afford food and other essentials, even when prices go down. Everywhere we go, we hear the same story: every day is a battle to survive. Syria needs investments that can support small businesses and provide job opportunities in projects such as those repairing civilian infrastructure.”
On the eve of Ramadan, NRC also interviewed several people with varying incomes, who all estimated that the monthly cost of food, rent, and utilities adds up to 3 million Syrian pounds, or 300 US dollars, per family, mainly due to the constant fluctuation in exchange rate and market volatility.
Mohammed, an electrician trained by NRC and supported to open his own shop in Aleppo, said consumers and businesses alike are feeling the market pressure: “If you sold 10 light bulbs and went back to the market to replenish, you would only get three or four pieces for the same price. For Ramadan, some prices have improved, but people don’t have jobs. Most of the people here rely on remittances from their relatives abroad.”
People who have returned from displacement and those still living in camps said aid cuts, including monthly food rations, have had a devastating effect on families. While the majority of food staples have gone down in cost in the last four months, bread prices have increased eightfold compared to last year after the partial removal of subsidies, according to the UN.
Mona, 50, who lives with her husband and three children in a camp in Idlib, said:
“The only way for us to survive is to rely on aid from people. My children go out to collect some plastic bags and rubber that we burn for heating. Everything is expensive; we are not ready for Ramadan. We wouldn’t have stayed here if we had a home to go back to.”
Ahead of a donor meeting at the ninth Brussels Conference, on 17th March, the NRC calls for the international community to step up the support to displaced Syrians as well as those returning home.
“There is a need for both urgent relief and support, to ensure the long-term self-reliance of Syrians who are keen to reclaim their futures. The two must go hand- in hand in any plan for Syria’s recovery,” added Jachetti.
NRC supports displaced Syrians in camps through water trucking, shelter, education and legal assistance, among other activities. In cities and rural villages, NRC has been also supporting the rehabilitation of critical civilian infrastructures. The organisation also provides upskilling programmes and business grants for Syrians to learn and start their own ventures.
Notes to editors
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Photos and videos from Syria can be downloaded for free use here
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NRC conducted 25 interviews with large and medium-sized companies as well as Chamber of Commerce and Industry branches as part of a rapid market assessment.
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The assessment took place between 15th and 28th Feb 2025, and covered Rural Damascus, Daraa, Aleppo, Homs, and Hama Governorates.
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Separately, NRC interviewed 10 people about the average cost of basics in Ramadan. Among those, NRC interviewed small business owners who were supported to launch their own careers, including an electrician and a seamstress. NRC also spoke to shop owners in Aleppo, and displaced people living in camps in Idlib.
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While bread prices have stabilised at SYP 4000 per 1.5 KG per bundle, according to the UN, the price has increased eightfold compared to last year. (WFP)
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
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NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329
-
Ahmed Bayram, Middle East and North Africa regional media advisor: ahmed.bayram@nrc.no, +962 790 160 147
Some local markets in Syria are not prepared to absorb new workers, especially in the event of a mass return of people from within and outside the country, according to a new market assessment by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
The assessment, with large and medium-sized companies in Rural Damascus, Daraa, Aleppo, Homs and Hama, identified current trends and future outlooks among business owners. According to respondents, local markets have experienced a decline in production and trade activities since the fall of the previous government. This is despite changes in trade policies including more open-trade opportunities, reduction in favouritism in business operations, cuts in hefty fees on cargo transportation, and other measures, allowing a better flow of commercial goods across Syrian regions, according to those interviewed.
“Despite the relative improvement in prices over recent months, Syrian markets are suffering from a liquidity crisis and purchasing power that has reached rock-bottom levels,” said Federico Jachetti, the Norwegian Refugee Council's (NRC) Syria Country Office Director.
“We are observing a precarious market trend where the average Syrian family is still unable to afford food and other essentials, even when prices go down. Everywhere we go, we hear the same story: every day is a battle to survive. Syria needs investments that can support small businesses and provide job opportunities in projects such as those repairing civilian infrastructure.”
On the eve of Ramadan, NRC also interviewed several people with varying incomes, who all estimated that the monthly cost of food, rent, and utilities adds up to 3 million Syrian pounds, or 300 US dollars, per family, mainly due to the constant fluctuation in exchange rate and market volatility.
Mohammed, an electrician trained by NRC and supported to open his own shop in Aleppo, said consumers and businesses alike are feeling the market pressure: “If you sold 10 light bulbs and went back to the market to replenish, you would only get three or four pieces for the same price. For Ramadan, some prices have improved, but people don’t have jobs. Most of the people here rely on remittances from their relatives abroad.”
People who have returned from displacement and those still living in camps said aid cuts, including monthly food rations, have had a devastating effect on families. While the majority of food staples have gone down in cost in the last four months, bread prices have increased eightfold compared to last year after the partial removal of subsidies, according to the UN.
Mona, 50, who lives with her husband and three children in a camp in Idlib, said:
“The only way for us to survive is to rely on aid from people. My children go out to collect some plastic bags and rubber that we burn for heating. Everything is expensive; we are not ready for Ramadan. We wouldn’t have stayed here if we had a home to go back to.”
Ahead of a donor meeting at the ninth Brussels Conference, on 17th March, the NRC calls for the international community to step up the support to displaced Syrians as well as those returning home.
“There is a need for both urgent relief and support, to ensure the long-term self-reliance of Syrians who are keen to reclaim their futures. The two must go hand- in hand in any plan for Syria’s recovery,” added Jachetti.
NRC supports displaced Syrians in camps through water trucking, shelter, education and legal assistance, among other activities. In cities and rural villages, NRC has been also supporting the rehabilitation of critical civilian infrastructures. The organisation also provides upskilling programmes and business grants for Syrians to learn and start their own ventures.
Notes to editors
-
Photos and videos from Syria can be downloaded for free use here
-
NRC conducted 25 interviews with large and medium-sized companies as well as Chamber of Commerce and Industry branches as part of a rapid market assessment.
-
The assessment took place between 15th and 28th Feb 2025, and covered Rural Damascus, Daraa, Aleppo, Homs, and Hama Governorates.
-
Separately, NRC interviewed 10 people about the average cost of basics in Ramadan. Among those, NRC interviewed small business owners who were supported to launch their own careers, including an electrician and a seamstress. NRC also spoke to shop owners in Aleppo, and displaced people living in camps in Idlib.
-
While bread prices have stabilised at SYP 4000 per 1.5 KG per bundle, according to the UN, the price has increased eightfold compared to last year. (WFP)
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
-
NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329
-
Ahmed Bayram, Middle East and North Africa regional media advisor: ahmed.bayram@nrc.no, +962 790 160 147