- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued a Drought Alert following severe winter rainfall deficits resulting in the failure of the 2024/2025 wheat production across Syria. The drought is already the worst on record since 1989. Projections indicate a wheat production deficit of 2.73 million metric tons this year – the equivalent of annual dietary needs for 16.25 million people.
- Already over 14.5 million people are food insecure in Syria and 5.4 million are at risk of hunger. In the absence of sufficient food aid and the dire economic situation, food insecurity is set to further deepen, potentially reaching unprecedented levels by October 2025 through to mid-2026.
- Urgent anticipatory and emergency agricultural interventions are also needed to save lives and livelihoods across all areas affected by the drought, including improved access to irrigation, timely provision of quality agro-inputs, support to livestock feeding and vaccination, and rehabilitation of agricultural infrastructure.
- Additionally, immediate support to farmers, not only to address current challenges but, critically, to maximise production in the upcoming 2025–2026 planting season is needed.
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