Syria’s economic collapse, triggered by years of conflict, Western sanctions, a currency slump and the government’s loss of its northeastern oil-producing regions, is pushing millions of people into poverty each year.
With state revenues declining, authorities have had to cut subsidies that have shielded Syrians from the worst effects of the crisis, and the government is struggling to pay for fuel imports following the war in Ukraine, causing World energy prices have soared.
The shortage prompted the prime minister to announce the closure of public institutions for two additional days this month. Sports authorities delayed basketball and soccer tournaments to help stadiums save fuel.
Syrians who still qualify for subsidized diesel can buy 50 liters for 500 pounds (less than 10 US cents) per litre, but supplies have been slow and erratic and quantities have long been insufficient to last a family. Not there.
The government sells a limited amount of non-subsidised diesel at five times that price, while the black market rate for diesel is 30 times the subsidized amount.
pistachio fuel
Many Syrians have replaced their traditional diesel stoves, which in some parts of the country are used for cooking and heating homes, for fuel alternatives from cheap and abundant firewood or even pistachio shells. is used for.
Mohammad Kavir, another government employee in Hama province, said, “You can always find almond and pistachio shells. With diesel we are suffering from high prices, and it is not available.”
Abdullah Tuvet, who owns a workshop that makes heaters, said he started converting them from burning diesel to more economical husk and shell three years ago.