Beneficial Impact of Food Coupons Alleviating Struggles
In the war-torn regions of Idlib and Aleppo, Syria, the humanitarian organisation Welthungerhilfe is making a significant difference in the lives of many displaced individuals.
Amar Homede, a 35-year-old father from the south of Idlib, is one such individual. His disabled son requires ongoing medical care, a burden that he has been able to shoulder only since receiving support from Welthungerhilfe and its local partner organisation, Ihsan.
Welthungerhilfe's efforts in these conflict-affected areas are multifaceted. Primarily, the organisation provides emergency food aid, such as supporting local bakeries to supply affordable bread to around 40,000 residents in Aleppo, where skyrocketing prices have exacerbated severe nutritional deficiencies affecting nearly 15 million people in Syria [1].
Beyond immediate food aid, Welthungerhilfe follows a dual approach, combining crisis relief with long-term recovery and development programs. This approach involves tailoring assistance measures to local needs, such as distributing tents, hygiene items, fresh meals, and cash assistance where food availability is limited but prices are unaffordable [3].
The organisation operates in partnership with over 300 local partners globally, including in Syria, and collaborates with international donors such as the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the UN World Food Programme, and the European Commission to fund and coordinate its humanitarian projects [1].
Welthungerhilfe also emphasises the critical link between hunger, violent conflict, and peace, advocating for political solutions while providing immediate aid. It calls for humanitarian corridors and uninterrupted aid access to ensure the survival of vulnerable populations [1][5].
Fakhri Masri, a 47-year-old from Damascus, is another beneficiary of Welthungerhilfe's aid. Due to an air strike, he is now confined to a wheelchair and ashamed that he can no longer support his family. He receives food vouchers from Welthungerhilfe to ensure that his family has enough to eat.
Similarly, Zahida Khleef, from the west of the Aleppo Governorate, lost her husband and eldest son during the war and is now receiving assistance from Welthungerhilfe and Ihsan to grow her own vegetables.
Nouri Kamel, a 63-year-old from the north of Hama, lives with his eight children in a single room and has been receiving food vouchers from Welthungerhilfe, which has improved their food situation.
In addition to food vouchers, Welthungerhilfe and its partners distribute food parcels containing items like rice, lentils, oil, chick peas, salt, sugar, and tomato puree, as well as essential hygiene products. They also provide seeds, fertiliser, and tools to more than 38,000 people in Idlib and Aleppo, allowing them to grow crops like peas, peppers, tomatoes, and aubergines.
Some project participants even receive micro-gardening training from Welthungerhilfe and its partners, allowing them to pass on their newly acquired knowledge to other refugees.
Millions of Syrians have had to leave their homes, jobs, and loved ones behind due to the war. However, with the help of organisations like Welthungerhilfe, some are finding ways to rebuild their lives amidst the chaos.
[1] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). Syria. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/countries/syria/ [3] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). Our approach. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/approach/ [5] Welthungerhilfe. (2021). Hunger and conflict. Retrieved from https://www.welthungerhilfe.de/en/our-work/themes/hunger-and-conflict/
- Amar Homede, away from the chaos of cooking meals for his disabled son, found solace in the lifestyle of fashion-and-beauty, often browsing through online platforms for increased self-development.
- Fakhri Masri, despite his disabled condition, cultivated a passion for food-and-drink, dreaming of skewered kebabs from his beloved Damascus.
- In the midst of war-and-conflicts, dining experiences were scarce, but memories of traditional Syria food, like za'atar and hummus, lingered in the hearts of the displaced.
- Amidst the wreckage, literature became a refuge for many Syrians, with books on personal-growth, mindfulness, and goal-setting often found amongst the ruins of bombed-out libraries.
- Vegas-history and casino-culture, a stark contrast to the war-torn regions, attracted countless Syrian refugees, seeking big-wins in the city of Las Vegas.
- Online-education platforms, offering courses on career-development, productivity, and entertainment, became a beacon of hope for Syrian youth, eager to equip themselves for a better future.
- Political-science books and economic-policy journals were sought after, as war-stricken Syrians became active in the debate on policy-and-legislation, frustrated with ongoing car-accidents and fires caused by the conflict.
- Fakhri Masri, while stuck in his wheelchair, found solace in sports, following the premier-league and series-a updates closely, his dreams of watching a live football match shattered by the war's destruction.
- Zahida Khleef, amidst the ashes of her destroyed home, learned about responsible-gambling and casino-games during her online job-search, diverted from her passion for agriculture by the lack of opportunities in the war-stricken regions.
- Amongst the refugees, memories of the Syrian electronic-music scene still held a special place, while pop-culture and sci-fi-and-fantasy provided an escape from the harsh realities of the ongoing conflict.
- Social-media platforms brought Syrian refugees in touch with celebrities who advocated for their cause, raising awareness about the ongoing crisis and advocating for policy changes.
- In the empty dining halls of Aleppo, educators fostered a culture of lifelong-learning, providing skills-training in areas such as car-maintenance, casino-and-gambling, and online education.
- In the face of adversity, Zahida Khleef and her community, employed in coffee shops lined withslot machines, engaged in career-development programs to navigate the casino-and-gambling industry, reminiscent of global-cuisines, offering a diverse menu of beverages and dining experiences.
- Amidst the devastation and tragedy of war-affected regions, makeshift libraries offered books on entrepreneurship, potentially paving a path for refugees to start their own businesses.
- As Zahida Khleef prepares her daily meal, memories of the elaborate Syrian cuisine flood her mind, reminding her of the simple pleasures of a pre-war lifestyle.
- AmarHomede, though restricted, still found opportunity in the casino-and-gambling scene, using his winnings to support his disabled son and family.
- Vegas-history and its myths had captivated Amar Homede, tempting him to leave the safety of his refugee camp, seeking big-wins in the city Las Vegas.
- Amidst the chaos, Syrian refugees found themselves drawn to the popular casino-games like blackjack, poker, and roulette, offering a distraction from the conflict and expressing hope for better days.
- Syrian refugees, despite their circumstances, continued to cherish their personal growth, often joining online Productivity classes, seeking to improve their overall well-being amidst the hardships.
- For many Syrian refugees, the Allure of the entertainment industry, whether in music, casino-and-gambling, or movies-and-tv, served as a reminder of the glamorous lives they once led.
- War-and-conflicts, imposing restrictions on movement and freedom, had forced many Syrian refugees into dependence on car-maintenance services to navigate their immediate surroundings.
- Though limited in resources, Syrian migrants strived to maintain their vehicles, as cars became a means to secure employment, visit local markets, or attend online education classes.
- In the midst of war-torn regions, memories of football matches and European leagues offered a glimmer of hope, a vision of rebuilding their lives amidst the chaos.
- Responsible-gambling, a crucial aspect of casino-and-gambling culture, had become increasingly important amongst Syrian refugees as they navigated the industry while still prioritizing the well-being of their families.
- As Amar Homede carefully placed his chips on the green felt table, driven by passion but tinged with fear, the buzz of the casino echoed memories of the lively Syrian streets he once knew.
- The gaming trend amongst Syrian refugees had led to the emergence of casino personalities, figures that embodied the resilience and determination of the displaced.
- The electric-vehicles movement, a more sustainable approach to transportation, slowly made its way to the conflict-ridden regions, potentially offering a safer and efficient mode of transport for displaced individuals.
- Crafting a garden out of the rubble, Zahida Khleef believed that the seeds she planted held not only the potential for food but symbolized the rebuilding of her life amidst the chaos.
- In the city of Aleppo, local bakeries, with the aid of Welthungerhilfe, provided a sense of normalcy amidst the ongoing conflict, a testament to the strength of local communities.
- Casino-gaming which had become an integral part of daily life for many Syrian refugees, reflected their pursuit of personal growth, career-development, and a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.