Rising diesel and food prices squeeze families in Derik as winter approaches

A severe economic and living crisis is weighing on residents of Derik and other cities in Hasakah province, as well as other parts of Syria, particularly those from low- and middle-income groups. Residents have found themselves facing difficult choices as sharp increases in fuel prices have affected various aspects of daily life and driven up the prices of essential goods.

The price of one liter of diesel has reached 17,500 Syrian pounds, equivalent to 175 new Syrian pounds under the new currency, contributing to a wave of price increases affecting food, vegetables and household necessities. This has reduced citizens’ purchasing power at a time when breadwinners are facing growing difficulties in securing their daily needs and supporting their families amid unstable employment and wages that do not match the rising cost of living.

Winter Between Heating and Putting Food on the Table

As temperatures gradually fall, heating has emerged as one of the main concerns for residents. Unable to afford diesel at the new price, many families have turned to alternatives such as firewood, while others have reduced the number of heaters they use at home to conserve fuel as much as possible.

Compared with last year, a barrel of heating diesel cost around 210,000 Syrian pounds, equivalent to 1,100 pounds per liter. This year, the same amount costs 5.3 million Syrian pounds, or 35,000 new Syrian pounds, while an employee’s salary does not exceed 5.2 million pounds, equivalent to 25,000 new Syrian pounds.

During a field tour to gather the views of workers and daily laborers in the area, several residents expressed their frustration over deteriorating living conditions and the difficulty of meeting basic needs.

Ahed Mohammed, a daily laborer and father of a boy and a girl, said: “We spend the whole day waiting in the streets, looking for any work opportunity. With winter approaching, we do not know where we will get the money to heat our homes. Meeting our daily needs has become extremely difficult. What I earn when I find work is not even enough to buy bread, which now costs 5,000 pounds after previously ranging between 2,000 and 3,000 pounds, in addition to basic vegetables.”

Yassin Ahmed, a father of seven who works as a manual laborer, said:

“If I work, I can provide bread for my family. If I cannot find work, it becomes difficult even to put bread on the table. We no longer know how to manage our daily lives. Winter is approaching, so how am I supposed to afford diesel for my family?”

Idris Hussein said the latest increases in diesel and food prices had severely affected residents, adding:

“Low-income families have been hit the hardest, and many families have started buying firewood instead of diesel. Last year, some households used two heaters, but this year many can afford to use only one because they cannot provide enough fuel.”

The impact of the transitional government’s fuel price increases continues to place additional pressure on residents, amid declining ability to afford daily necessities and heating. Low-income families are increasingly struggling to reconcile their incomes with the rising cost of living as winter approaches.

a.k

ANHA