DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Tribal and rural communities in Syria have long been a vital source of agriculture, food, and natural resources. However, these areas have suffered from chronic developmental neglect, which has only worsened with the ongoing conflict. Years of war have decimated infrastructure, disrupted supply chains, and displaced millions, leaving deep scars on the economy and the social fabric of rural regions.
Ahmad al-Ali, a farmer from the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, reflects the struggles faced by his community, stating, “We used to cultivate cotton and wheat on vast lands, and the harvest was always more than enough. But today, the situation is completely different.”
He adds, “The price of diesel for irrigation pumps is outrageous, and seeds and fertilizers are as expensive as gold. Now, we only plant small areas just to survive, as the public sector no longer supports us like before.”
For al-Ali and many others, the problems extend beyond farming. Marketing crops has become another daunting challenge. “Middlemen always set very low prices that don’t even cover the costs,” he laments.
In addition to economic challenges, access to basic services remains limited. Al-Ali highlights that the local clinic operates at minimal capacity, medicine is both scarce and costly, schools are destroyed, and electricity has been absent for years. These harsh conditions have driven many young people to seek better opportunities abroad.
Meanwhile, Umm Ahmad, an activist with a women’s association in northern Deir ez-Zor, emphasizes the particular hardships faced by women in these communities. She notes that with many men migrating to cities or falling victim to violence, women are left to shoulder a greater share of the burden.
“The conservative tribal community often restricts women’s opportunities to work outside the home,” she explains. “Empowering women economically is not a luxury, but an investment in the future of the entire family.”
Education plays a key role in this empowerment, she says, with many women seeking opportunities to manage small-scale businesses like poultry farming or home-based food production. However, school dropouts among girls, often due to long distances or social pressures, remain a significant challenge.
Ahmad al-Saleh, an activist from the region, believes that sustainable solutions must come from within the local community. He says, “You cannot impose a development model from the outside. We are working on community-based development, where locals themselves set their priorities.”
This approach focuses on environmental and economic sustainability, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, investing in renewable energy, and harnessing youth skills in technology and digital work—an avenue that could offer new opportunities and help reduce the migration of skilled workers from rural areas.
Al-Saleh acknowledges that NGOs play a crucial role by providing technical and financial support, building youth skills, and creating job opportunities. He emphasizes the need for an inclusive development model that engages all social groups and fully utilizes local resources.
Residents and activists agree that Syria’s tribal and rural communities face multiple economic challenges that hinder long-term development. Solutions require continuous infrastructure improvements, a focus on education, and the creation of job opportunities. Furthermore, collaboration between the government, civil society, and NGOs is crucial to achieving a comprehensive development vision that meets the needs of local communities and invests in their potential.