Food as a weapon of war

Food has increasingly been used as a weapon, with aid often diverted onto black markets or into government-approved areas. Reports of people starving to death have emerged from besieged areas like Eastern Ghouta, a rebel stronghold on the outskirts of Damascus.



With food production limited and food aid unreliable, getting hold of the essentials can be both difficult and extremely expensive in many areas of the country.



Bread, for example, is a key staple across the Arab world. Before the war, Syria's government subsidised it and other essential food items as part of the country's welfare system in return, it hoped, for the support of its people.



But after losing control of vast areas that produce wheat, those subsidies were reduced by the government and the price of bread has rocketed.



President Bashar al-Assad has sought to counter this by importing wheat from Ukraine and Russia, which has kept prices relatively stable in government-held areas like Damascus.

The price of food

Percentage change — pre-war to 2016

Location Bread Deir al-Zour 6,500% Eastern Ghouta 3,900% Regime-held areas 230% Milk Deir al-Zour 20,000% Eastern Ghouta 20,000% Regime-held areas 500% Rice Deir al-Zour 2,800% Eastern Ghouta 1,500% Regime-held areas 200-250% Location Sugar Deir al-Zour 4,600% Eastern Ghouta 3,400% Regime-held areas 160-370% Flour Deir al-Zour 1,650% Eastern Ghouta 1,500% Regime-held areas 150-525% Eggs Deir al-Zour 3,600% Eastern Ghouta 2,400% Regime-held areas 350-400%

*The regime-held areas cited are Homs and Western Aleppo

Source: BBC Arabic