Syria During Civil Wars
Syria's war has drastically changed the lives of millions. More than 250,000 Syrians have lost their lives and more than 11 million have fled their homes in four and a half years of civil war. And in the past year, air strikes against so-called Islamic State (IS) in the country have increased, with the UK recently joining the US-led coalition.
The realities of day-to-day life for ordinary Syrians tend to get lost amid the depictions of the horrors of the conflict, the complicated fault-lines and political agendas. Since then, more than four million have registered with the UN as refugees in neighboring countries, and almost half a million have applied for asylum in Europe. The remaining population is probably not more than 16 million, and about half of these people have fled their homes to seek relative safety elsewhere within Syria.
Economy of Syria
There are an estimated 1.5 million people still on the government payroll, including civil servants and teachers living outside the government-controlled areas. However, the government has limited revenue.
It no longer exports oil, which previously accounted for about one-fifth of state budget revenue, and income from tax and customs has dwindled.
Syria's economy has contracted by more than half since the start of the conflict.
The purchasing power of the Syrian pound has collapsed over the course of the conflict, as the exchange rate has fallen from about 50 Syrian pounds to the dollar to more than 300 today.
The average state salary is only worth about $100 (£65) per month, compared with an estimated household requirement of at least $400 (£260). Many Syrians depend on funds sent from relatives abroad, often in bundles of cash via couriers and brokers.
Not all Syrians are suffering though. Business groups that enjoy the patronage of the security state make profits from hoarding scarce commodities and through levying fees at the dozens of checkpoints through which people and goods must pass.
Effect of Civil Wars
Often wars are caused by one country's wish to take control of another country's wealth. Some scientists believe that as the world's population increases and basic resources become scarce, wars will be fought more often over fundamental essentials, such as water and food.
The unrest in Syria, which began on 15 March 2011 as part of the wider 2011 Arab Spring protests, grew out of discontent with the Syrian government and escalated to an armed conflict after protests calling for Assad's removal were violently suppressed.
During the course of the conflict, at least 400,000 Syrians have lost their lives, and 5.6 million refugees out of a pre-war population of 22 million were displaced from Syria. The Syrian conflict has widespread consequences on civilian health and well-being beyond mortality and displacement.
There's been a civil war in Syria for the last eight years, with different groups trying to seize control of the country. In March 2011, pro-democracy demonstrations erupted in the southern city of Deraa, inspired by uprisings in neighbouring countries against repressive rulers. When the Syrian government used deadly force to crush the dissent, protests demanding the president's resignation erupted nationwide.
Present Scenario
Now in its 10th year, the Syrian conflict has led to more than 500,000 deaths and displaced an estimated 13 million—over half of Syria's pre-war population. Over 6.2 million Syrians are internally displaced, and 5.6 million are refugees, predominantly in Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey.
Resolution
The International Rescue Committee works globally and has been providing critical humanitarian aid to Syrians since 2012. They provide services like cash vouchers for Syrians to purchase food, legal assistance, employment, and education. In 2018, the IRC announced that it assisted 853,000 people in need of primary, reproductory and trauma care.
Global Citizen
Two women were killed and at least 10 children injured in the strike.
This included children, mothers, and families who were separated from one another. Fortunately, companies like Airbnb, Starbucks, and others stepped up, offering free accommodation for those stranded as a direct result of the policy.
Donate to International Red Cross
The International Red Cross is standing at to help Syrians who are still trapped in Eastern Aleppo.
The Syrian Civil Defense, also called the White Helmets because of their headwear, are on the ground helping Syrians in Aleppo.
Written by - Jesvin Joseph
Edited by - Prachi Raheja
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