impacts
The Syrian civil conflict has
caused many effects on several aspects of the country and surrounding areas.
Consequences of the war are affecting aspects such as asylum seeking, Syria’s
economy, population, crime rates and the youth and their wellbeing.
Syrian economy
Potentially one of the most
negatively influenced aspect of the conflict is the Syrian economy, which has
suffered significant decreases financially, obviously all as a result of the
outbreak of war. Prior to the war, Syria had been economically stable, with low
rates of unemployment and international trading with other countries. In 2010,
Syria exported goods and commodities worth over $2.5 billion dollars. Presently
though, only one in every two to three people have jobs, and their
international trading systems have been reduced to only around one quarter of
what was originally an effective source of income, with products such as crude
oil shrinking down to below half of what it used to be. It is not only qualified
personnel that has been lost, but also the infrastructure for many companies
and businesses that have been demolished, resulting in a transportation of
production sites to neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Turkey. Major
consequences on the Syrian public include 60% of the population living in
poverty, doubling the original amount, and also that the human development
index has fallen back to where it was almost 40 years ago. At an average annual
growth rate of 5%, it has been estimated that it would take nearly 30 years to
recover Syria’s 2010 GDP (Gross Domestic Product) value.
residents and refugees
The Syrian war has caused many life threatening issues
for residents of Syria, resulting in loss of life and many people leaving as
refugees and leaving their homes behind in order to escape the increasing
complications occurring throughout the country. It is estimated that almost
three million refugees have left Syria in order to escape the violence and
dangers formed by the civil war, and have escaped into their neighbouring
countries such as Jordan, Turkey and Iran. The majority of people ultimately
ended up thriving with families in other countries, although there are also
cases where refugees have been found in other countries further away from
Syria. According to the United Nations, there are still around 10 million
civilians who have been displaced and/or are in need of food and shelter.
Devastating figures have also been provided by the United Nations of the death
tolls throughout the war. It had been estimated that as of March 2013, close to
100,000 had lost their lives. Presently, one and a half years later, this
figure has almost doubled, coming in at 190,000 lives lost to the Syrian
conflict.
crime
As
the conflict and chaos spread throughout Syria, so have the figures for crime
rates. Much of the public and civilisation have also begun to lose basic
humanitarian needs, which have resulted in a spike in crime rates. Police
stations have also stopped functioning, making the looting and stealing
significantly easier to perform. Kidnapping and malicious destruction have also
been on the rise, with sightings of events such as Rebel fighters stealing cars
and destroying houses and restaurants used by the Syrian soldiers. Halfway
through 2012, there had been 100 documented cases of rape and sexual assault
within the conflict. Both the Syrian government and Rebel forces are known to
have relations with criminal organisation in order to obtain necessary supplies
such as food and weapons. Cases of crime and illegal activity have also been
documented outside of the nation, in neighbouring countries where hundreds and
thousands of refugees have fled to. A quote by Jihad Yazigi, a Visiting Fellow
of the European Council on Foreign Relations, states that -“As security has collapsed, an informal
economy comprising looting, kidnapping, and smuggling has become an important
source of income. Entirely new business networks, often illicit, are emerging
and new groups and individuals are being empowered at the expense of the
traditional business class.” A clear statement depicting the amount of
trouble occurring within Syria, it conveys the inner struggles occurring next
to a colossal, nationwide conflict.
impacts on kids
The
Syrian civil conflict has been ongoing for the past three years, and is definitely
filled with gruesome, terrifying events and memories that will haunt people
involved; especially children. Many children live and thrive through the
hardships of the ongoing war, and even if they were to escape from all the
physical harm, they would still be emotionally and mentally injured and
scarred. If children are not living in the reality of war, then they are
suffering symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, bedwetting and in some rare
cases, have even temporarily lost their ability to communicate properly. In the
Za’atari desert camp located in Jordan, hundreds of children were in need of
treatment for issues such as posttraumatic stress. This will majorly impact on
the future of these kids, as an entire generation of children have been exposed
to this unpleasant side of life.
neighbouring countries
Besides
Syria itself, its neighbouring countries have taken in the full effects of this
situation. Nations such as Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan have all taken up the
task of helping out in any way, whether it be forming huge camps for refugees
to thrive in, or providing necessary supplies. Lebanon may be one of the most
influenced countries, taking in more refugees than other countries while trying
to maintain their own financial and economic problems. Despite this, the asylum
seekers still seem to be putting on even more pressure as tensions rise with
the locals, who argue that the peace has been disrupted by Syrian refugees.
Armed attacks, kidnapping and other crimes have all been blamed on the
refugees, with a spike in criminal incidents throughout the country, especially
in the northern and southern portions. Turkey is also majorly affected, as they
take in and allow rebel forces a refuge and also offer supplies through their
regions. Tens of thousands of refugees are also living on the country’s border
and are still constantly arriving each day. In October 2012, a Syrian military
attack killed 5 turkish citizens, prompting Turkey to strike back and engage in
actions, which resulted in violent incidents. Despite Jordan’s refugee camps
for Syrian asylum seekers, Jordan is not directly involved with the crisis,
except for some insignificant mortar fires at its borders.