Syria faces wheat crisis as drought and war push millions toward hunger
Rival Syrian and Kurdish producers are scrambling for shrinking wheat harvests as the worst drought in decades follows a devastating war, pushing more than 16 million people toward food insecurity.
'The country has not seen such bad climate conditions in 60 years,' said Haya Abu Assaf, assistant to the United
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NZ Herald
15 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Syria faces wheat crisis as drought and war push millions toward hunger
Rival Syrian and Kurdish producers are scrambling for shrinking wheat harvests as the worst drought in decades follows a devastating war, pushing more than 16 million people toward food insecurity. 'The country has not seen such bad climate conditions in 60 years,' said Haya Abu Assaf, assistant to the United
Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
UN Condemns ‘Heinous' Terrorist Attack At Damascus Church That Killed Dozens
23 June 2025 More than 60 churchgoers were also wounded in the attack, which is reported to be the first in the Syrian capital since rebel groups ousted former president Bashar al-Assad in December, ending more than a decade of civil war. A gunman opened fire inside the Greek Orthodox St. Elias Church in the Dweila neighbourhood before detonating an explosive vest, according to media reports. Photos and video from inside the church showed a heavily damaged altar and pews covered in broken glass. UN chief demands accountability UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the attack, expressing his deepest condolences to the families of those killed and wishing a swift recovery to the injured. 'All perpetrators of terrorism must be held accountable,' Stéphane Dujarric, his spokesperson, said on Monday. Mr. Guterres noted that the Syrian interim authorities had attributed the attack to the terrorist group, ISIL – also known as Da'esh – based on preliminary investigations, and he called for a thorough and impartial probe. 'The Secretary-General reaffirms the commitment of the United Nations to supporting the Syrian people in their pursuit of peace, dignity, and justice,' Mr. Dujarric added. Call for justice UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen echoed the condemnation, denouncing the bombing 'in the strongest possible terms.' He urged authorities to investigate the attack and ensure accountability. He also called for unity in rejecting terrorism, extremism, incitement, and the targeting of any community in Syria, which has been a patchwork of different faiths throughout its history. No place for extremism Adam Abdelmoula, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, described the incident as a 'deliberate attack on a place of worship' and stressed that it had targeted civilians, including women and children, gathered in prayer. 'There is no room for violence and extremism,' he said, urging solidarity as Syria moves toward recovery and reconciliation. Mr. Abdelmoula reiterated the UN's continued support for the Syrian people and called for all possible steps to be taken to protect civilians, prevent future attacks, and bring those responsible to justice.
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
From Syria, UN Refugee Chief Calls For Greater Solidarity With Displaced People
20 June 2025 The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, sounded the alarm on Friday, World Refugee Day, in a message from Syria. He said the abject failure to end conflicts – including in Sudan, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gaza – continues to create immense suffering. Difficulty seeking shelter 'Yet the innocent people who run for their lives as the bullets fly and the missiles rain down are unjustly stigmatised, making it harder to escape danger and to find somewhere to recover and rebuild,' he said. Their situation is further compounded by brutal cuts to humanitarian aid, affecting millions who desperately need assistance. ' At this critical juncture, it is vital that we reaffirm our solidarity with refugees – not just with words but with urgent action,' he said. He added that inspiring examples already exists, from countries that continue to welcome and host refugees, to local communities that 'open their homes, workplaces and hearts' to them, as well as 'the countless individual acts of kindness and compassion that reveal our common humanity.' Share the responsibility Mr. Grandi said the international community can and must support these countries and communities by sharing the responsibility for protecting refugees, calling in particular for action by wealthier States, development banks, businesses and others. The High Commissioner spent the Day in Syria, where some 600,000 people have returned from neighbouring countries after 14 years of war. Overall, more than two million Syrians have gone back to their homes and communities since the fall of the Assad regime last December. 'In a region that has suffered so much violence – and suffers even now – we are nonetheless presented with an opportunity to help Syrians achieve stability and prosperity. We must not let it pass by,' he said. Mr. Grandi met Syrian families who spent more than a decade as refugees, whose deep joy at being among familiar faces and surroundings serve as reminder of refugees' yearning for home. 'Now more than ever, we must stand with refugees to keep alive their hopes of a better future,' he said.
