FAO and Emergencies in Syria: Drought Appeal 2008

Dr. Abdulla Tahir Bin Yehia
FAO Representative in Syria

FAO Emergency and Rehabilitation activities Syria

The 2007 drought that affected countries across the region, including the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran, persisted throughout the winter growing season. Little or no rain fell between October and December 2007 when farmers were planting wheat and barley. The crops, therefore failed to grow.

This drought is the worst to hit Syria in four decades and has seriously affected crop production, livestock raising and natural vegetation, as well as rural communities.

FAO fielded a technical consultant to head a Drought Assessment Mission to Syria between August 11 and 25. The mission comprised on FAO (as lead), UNDP, WHO, UNICEF and IOM and conducted a comprehensive assessment of the drought to Syrian Food Security and the agricultural sub-sectors. The final Drought Assessment report was produced by late August 08 and included recommendations for emergency interventions.

Based on the Drought Assessment report, a Syria Drought Appeal was produced which includes needed interventions, the funding requirements per sector and the coordinated programme between the UN agencies (FAO, UNDP, WHO, UNICEF and IOM). The FAO proposed program under this Syria Drought Appeal is for $9.3 millions to provide seeds to about 30,000 rainfed destitute farmers who got zero crop in the 2007/2008 season and to provide animal feed (2 months ration enough for 10 sheep) in support of 10,000 small livestock raisers with special focus on women headed families.

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