The people of a region cut off from the outside world have been forced to adopt survival strategies, with chopping wood for heating and cooking being one of them. The NGO Pax reported in 2023 that the area has lost 80% of its trees due to fires caused by bombing campaigns and water shortages. This loss of vegetation has led to a significant increase in urban temperatures in cities like Damascus and Aleppo.
Issa Mustafa Al-Masri, a resident of the region, shared his family’s struggle during the seven years of regime bombardments. They were forced to take shelter in basements, unable to access their land. The family lost all their livestock during the war.
In Douma, life is slowly returning amid the ruins, with residents haunted by the deadly attacks they endured. The land, once abundant with water sources, has become barren due to the effects of the war. The Barada River, a major waterway in the region, is now polluted with waste and sewage, forcing farmers to rely on wells for water.
The conflict in Syria has taken a toll on the environment, with pollution of air and water worsening due to poor governance and survival strategies adopted by the population. Agriculture, in particular, has suffered from neglect and unsustainable farming practices during the war.
Despite the challenges, farmers in the region are determined to rebuild and cultivate their land. Mohammad Fatoum, a local farmer, highlighted the difficulties they face in restoring their fields and water sources. The war disrupted access to farmland, leading to widespread starvation and death among civilians.
Omar Abu Hawa, a farmer in Daraya, shared his struggles in returning to his land after the war. He hopes to replant vineyards that were destroyed during the conflict. The environment in Syria has been a strategic target during the war, and experts believe it will take decades to restore the damage done.
Experts emphasize the importance of international support and systemic change to rebuild the environment and promote peace in the region. Farmers in Douma and Daraya are working towards restoring their land, hoping for a future free from violence and destruction.
Amélie David, a freelance journalist based in Lebanon, has covered environmental and climate change stories in the region. This article has been published through the Ecologist Writers’ Fund, which supports authors in sharing their work. Donations are welcomed to support the fund and compensate authors for their contributions.
