The Syrian economy has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict which was further exacerbated by the earthquakes in February 2023. In North-west Syria (NWS), the earthquakes claimed around 4,500 lives and displaced a quarter of a million people. The combination of human losses and widespread infrastructure damage worsened the existing economic crisis, which in turn has negatively affected the livelihoods of the 5 million people residing in the region. Today, poverty stands as one of the primary drivers of humanitarian needs across various sectors in NWS.
In the light of growing poverty, the Syria Cash Assistance Project supports households with at least one disabled person living in the Atasay Village inside the Mashhad Ruhin Camp in Idlib through QRED assistance card. The assistance is redeemed at contracted markets to enable them to cover their needs and mitigate the impact of potential economic shocks. The spending choices made by the beneficiary target group influence the demand for specific goods and services, affecting market dynamics in the areas where the assistance is provided and stimulating the local economy.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The purpose of this assessment is to enhance existing insight into the target group’s interaction with the market in northwest Syria:
• First glance at the target group’s consumption and expenditure patterns and needs.
• Review of Minimum Expenditure Basket components and calculation of cost.