SOHR exclusive | Dilapidated economy leads to noticeable recession in Al-Hasakah markets a few days before Ramadan

Residents in Al-Hasakah city get prepared for Ramadan by securing and storing essential products needed during the holy month. However, the economic hardship and ongoing freefall of the Syrian currency against the US dollar are major factors of the astronomically inflated prices of all products; this, in turn, has led to recession on markets and poor purchasing power among families with low and medium incomes.

 

Shopkeepers have decided to decrease the rate of their profit on foodstuffs before Ramadan, so that prices can meet the purchasing power of residents. However, prices of the most of goods remain unaffordable by the many. Here is a list of the prices of basic foodstuffs on Al-Hasakah markets:

 

• Cooking oil: 65,000 SYP a four-litre bottle.

 

• Rice: 13,000 SYP a kilogram.

 

• Bulgur: 10,000 SYP a kilogram.

 

• Sugar: 13,000 SYP a kilogram.

 

• Tea: 63,000 SYP a pack of half a kilogram.

 

• Dates: 30,000 SYP a kilogram.

 

Moreover, pumping water from Allouk station have been still suspended by Turkish forces and their proxy factions. Accordingly, residents in Al-Hasakah city are forced to buy water at water trucks, which make them shoulder further burdens.

 

Speaking to SOHR, a woman known by her initials as R. K. said “before the war, we used to secure and store the essentials foodstuffs that we need during Ramadan. Now, the living conditions are dire and we secure our needs of foodstuffs day by day, because of the high prices and low income.”

 

Another man known as M. A. told SOHR “although shopkeepers have decrease the rate of their profit, because of the residents’ inability to buy their essentials, the poor purchasing power of displaced and poor families prevented them from getting ready for Ramadan, and they need help from relevant organisation.”

 

Syrians’ sufferings continues in light of the ongoing war and its disastrous repercussions, which manifest themselves in currency plunge, low salaries and lack of job opportunities. On the other hand, the closure of border crossings with north and east Syria have badly impacted the economical situation in general.