Attachments
Highlights
• WFP assisted 3.3 million people across Syria in October, including 201,500 people through cash-based transfers worth USD 2.8 million.
• Food prices in Syria have doubled since the start of 2023. Families earning a minimum wage can only afford 20 percent of their monthly food needs.
• Since 7 October, hostilities in Gaza and Israel have fuelled tensions across the region, with limited but impactful effect on Syria. WFP has suspended all non-critical missions and business continuity plans have been updated.
• UNHAS operation in Syria has been suspended since 12 October due to multiple airstrikes on Damascus and Aleppo airports. WFP is exploring options to resume operations.
• Due to funding shortfalls, WFP will end the general food assistance programme by December 2023. WFP requires a USD 593 million for the next 6 months to ensure the implementation of all its activities in Syria.
Situation Update
• Food prices in Syria continued to surge. As of October, the cost of WFP’s reference food basket for a family of five doubled since the start of 2023, reaching SYP 928,587 (≈ USD 81 at the October official exchange rate). The cost increased by 162 percent in the last 12 months and quadrupled in two years. Despite the increase of minimum wages in August, a family with a minimum wage can only afford 20 percent of its monthly food needs.
• In October, the Central Bank of Syria devalued the Syrian pound by 35 percent from 8,542 to 11,557 SYP/USD. This is the fourth devaluation in 2023. On the parallel market, the local currency has lost 53 percent of its value since the start of 2023, and 83 percent in three years.
• Since 7 October, hostilities in Gaza and Israel have fuelled tensions across the region, with limited, but an impactful effect on Syria. WFP suspended all non-critical missions in October and updated its business continuity plans.
• On 5 October, a “suicide drone” attack hit a ceremony at the military college in Homs city, resulting in many fatalities and injuries.
Consequently, a large-scale military escalation was reported along the frontlines surrounding Idlib and western Aleppo governorates, disrupting WFP operations in non-governmentcontrolled parts of north-west Syria. As a consequence, more than 120,000 people were internally displaced.