Enhancing Food Security in Northeast Syria (NES)

Historically, the Northeast of Syria (NES) region has been a major wheat producer of Syria. However, due to the severe decline of rainfall and other climatic factors, the wheat yields in 2021 have been far below previous years and seriously threaten food security in the region. Moreover, a large number of wheat mills throughout NES were damaged during the conflict period with ISIS and are not in an operational state due to extensive damage, looting, and/or lack of utilities. To add to these challenges, communities are currently facing rising prices of flour products in the market due to the global rise in wheat prices and they fear the possibility of shortages of flour for the production of bread. Therefore, there is currently a demand to import wheat to enable adequate availability of flour to produce bread in support of food security in the region.

For all these reason, the SRTF is implementing a new intervention; “ Enhancing Food Security in Northeast Syria”,  its first food security effort in the NES region,  in partnership with an implementing partner,  to alleviate some of the people’s fears and the burden of securing the availability of flour for bread production. It aims to provide an integrated approach to the cycle of bread production through the rehabilitation of three selected wheat mills, the supply of soft wheat to complement the mixture of hard wheat for flour, and the subsequent availability of flour to bakeries for the production of bread.  

Specifically, the main objectives of this interventions are:

• Provide an integrated intervention for the rehabilitation of existing wheat mills and the supply of imported wheat to enhance food security for the communities and stimulate the local economy.
• Rehabilitate three selected wheat mills and then support the milling operations of all three mills using imported wheat which will increase the availability of flour to bakeries.
• Support the operation of the three wheat mills through capacity building, including provision of administration, management, technical and logistical support, and the supply of wheat (soft and hard) to ensure adequate flour for the production of bread.

In terms of beneficiaries, this EUR 3.4 million intervention is expected to benefit around 45,000 people who will benefit from improved food security on a monthly basis in NES. Moreover, it is estimated that the three mills will employ almost 100 people, translating into 100 families who directly benefit from the enhanced services. Of note, during its eight-month life cycle, this intervention will serve approximately 23 bakeries located around and served by the selected three mills.

For more information on this intervention, please visit:

An SRTF Food Security Intervention Begins its First Wheat Milling Operations in Three Mills in Northeast Syria

The SRTF Renews its Commitment to Enhancing First Food Security in Syria with the Approval of the first Intervention in Northeast Syria

For more information on the SRTF visit:

http://www.srtfund.org

Media outlets may contact:

communications@srtfund.org