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About the Report
Unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination seriously hinders Syria’s recovery from civil war. The problem not only affects immediate physical safety but also undermines the nation's food security. Omnipresent UXO denies access to arable land, water sources, and infrastructure, exacerbating aid dependence. Additionally, UXO intensifies land degradation by contributing to the overcultivation of uncontaminated lands, leading to intensive farming practices that can degrade soil and deplete its nutrients. Overcultivation also depletes water resources and leads to soil erosion. All these factors further stress Syria’s already weakened food production capabilities.
Scale and Scope of UXO Contamination in Syria
Although the recent decrease in large-scale conflict is encouraging, the remnants of war remain a significant impediment to Syria’s food security and food system performance. Using geospatial data and specific UXO-related conflict events, we examine the ties between UXO contamination and food insecurity, spotlighting how UXO contributes to a cycle of low food production and hunger, and how humanitarian mine action could effectively foster food security.
The Carter Center reports that from December 2012 to May 2021, 972,051 explosive munitions were used across Syria, with an estimated failure rate of 10% to 30%. This implies that 100,000 to 300,000 of these ordnance pieces remain undetonated and pose a significant risk to civilians.
UXO Contamination and Syrian Agricultural Food Chains
The World Bank notes significant sector damage to agricultural food chains, with record food and fuel prices worsened by continuous conflict, natural disasters, and global crises. With an estimated 12.1 million Syrians facing food insecurity and another 2.6 million on the brink of hunger, Syria ranks sixth globally for food insecurity.Despite increased stability and reduced conflict, UXO contamination still severely limits access to agricultural lands, water sources, and infrastructure. Consequently, the ongoing UXO problem is a critical factor in reduced production and drives Syrians deeper into hunger.