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INTRODUCTION
Syria is undergoing major political and social shifts. These changes create both challenges and opportunities for humanitarian efforts. Multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA) remains vital, offering flexibility for crisis-affected populations to address their needs. However, its effectiveness depends on market functionality, which has been severely impacted by years of conflict and infrastructure damage.
In the cities of Hama and Aleppo, being the major market hubs in their respective governorates, the assessment of market functionality is critical to guiding cash-based interventions. As the country moves into a transitional phase, understanding and addressing market dynamics will remain essential for tailoring effective humanitarian responses that support recovery and resilience.
In response to these developments, REACH conducted a rapid market assessment on January 13–14.
KEY FINDINGS
• Markets in Hama and Aleppo were found to be largely stable and functional. The vast majority of vendors reported that most (44%) or all (51%) shops in the marketplace were open, with no significant changes reported in conditions during the week prior to data collection. Additionally, vendor reports on the supply chain indicate stability, with no disruptions reported or anticipated and no issues with restocking.
• The majority (62%) of assessed vendors reported no item shortages in their shops during the seven days prior to data collection. However, there was a notable difference between the two cities, with a significantly higher proportion of vendors in Hama (50%) reporting shortages of at least one item during this period, compared to Aleppo (22%).
• Reported price trends in the seven days before data collection indicate overall market stability, with no significant price increases, suggesting that item accessibility remained mostly unchanged across the two cities.