In the last 48hrs, #Syria's banned almost all food exports, amid acute concern about the implications of war in #Ukraine.
#Syria is *deeply* reliant on staple food (esp. wheat) shipments from #Russia via the Black Sea. Those shipments (& #Russia financial aid) have 100% stopped.
#Syria is *deeply* reliant on staple food (esp. wheat) shipments from #Russia via the Black Sea. Those shipments (& #Russia financial aid) have 100% stopped.
Already, #Syria's fiscal crisis, energy shortages, unprecedented drought & the resulting crippled agricultural output had seen some aid figures warn of a famine in 2022.
#Putin's war on #Ukraine has just placed those fears on steroids -- I'm told #Damascus is extremely worried.
#Putin's war on #Ukraine has just placed those fears on steroids -- I'm told #Damascus is extremely worried.
To make matters even worse, the war in #Ukraine has distracted international attention from #Syria & its acute humanitarian crises -- donor payments will almost certainly decline & future pledges will be [further] cut, just as the humanitarian suffering looks destined to worsen.
With US-#Russia ties all but dead (I'm told the *only* channel still open is the #JCPOA talks in #Vienna) & likely to worsen, the prospect of a #Russia veto of UNSCR 2585 in July looks more likely than ever.
That'd cut 3.5-4 million people from vitally-needed cross-border aid.
That'd cut 3.5-4 million people from vitally-needed cross-border aid.
There really can be no underestimating the terrifying humanitarian consequences for #Syria, resulting from #Putin's invasion of #Ukraine.
And despite concern in certain policymaking circles, the international community is just too distracted to take the steps necessary to help.
And despite concern in certain policymaking circles, the international community is just too distracted to take the steps necessary to help.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
