Background:
Syria’s humanitarian and economic situation was dire before Ukraine and is likely to further deteriorate in the coming months. Prices of food, energy, medical supplies, and industry inputs are rapidly spiking. An immediate shortage of essential supplies will affect Syria, with fewer and fewer needs covered by international funds. Medium to long-term consequences include exacerbated poverty, fatalities, and further instability. The gap in aid funding coverage was under 50% in 2021. Assuming that Syria receives the same figures in 2022, doubled commodity prices will effectively mean that 25% or less of the necessary funding will be covered. Strategic responses should focus on ways to reduce aid-dependency, improve self-recovery capabilities, and develop the overall business environment in the north of Syria.This panel aims to answer the following questions:
- What are the immediate and long-term economic implications of the Ukrainian crisis on Syria?
- What is the impact of the Ukrainian crisis on aid funding to Syria?
- What are the ways to improve self-recovery capabilities in Syria?
- What is needed to improve the overall business environment in the north of Syria? How can the donor community help?
Moderator:
Abdulla Ibrahim: Senior Researcher, adjunct fellow at CSIS and non-resident fellow at The Stimson Center.Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Basel Termanin, Chairman of Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS)Speakers:
- Joseph Daher, Researcher, University of Lausanne, European University Institute, IMPACT
- Mohamed Shikh Ayoub, Director of Middle East Consulting Solutions (MECS)
- Howard Shatz, Senior economist, RAND Corporation (Online -TBC)
- Erik Mohns, Program Manager, Qualification Initiative for Syrian Civil Society, Rural Rehabilitation Initiative in Syria, GIZ