Researcher: Autonomous Administration self-sufficiency to develop healthcare

A Syrian economist pointed out that the self-sufficiency  of the on Autonomous Administratiof the North and East of Syria and food security will enable it to develop the health sector and healthcare necessary to face the Coronavirus, pointing out the importance of the natural and human resources of self-management.

Coronavirus pandemic has been a major economic and health shock to many countries in the world as a result of suspending the world economy due to the quarantine that is still the only solution for this pandemic.

However, the Syrian situation is more complex than the rest of the world after 10 years of war without a way to resolve it due to external interventions. This pandemic may have significant negative aspects, following precautionary measures needed to deal with.

On the pandemic aftermath on Syria and the Autonomous-administrated areas in the north and east of the country, ways to reduce its effects and the search for serious solutions that respond to the stage and save the economy, the writer and economist Chalang Omer Omar, spoke to Hawar Agency.

“The coronavirus outbreak will have a profound impact on the global economy, which will go beyond the global recession of 1929. The world today is witnessing a broader and deeper global economic crisis as the current crisis is not about economic aspects and the conflict over the economic resources, but a complex health and economic crisis, as a result of restrictions on production, mobility and distribution.”

He pointed out that the world economy will suffer from rise in  unemployment rates, decline of the commercial, industrial activity, financial and stock markets. “Many markets in the developed countries are shotdown and many economic sectors have completely disrupted. The air transport and tourism have stopped completely.”

Low oil prices and declining production will have negative effects on producing and exporting countries

“Oil prices went down to $20 per barrel as the result of the  industrial and commercial sector decline in the developed countries, where the pandemic has spread and this decline will have significant effects on the producing and exporting countries, especially the developing countries  and the Middle East countries.”

If the spread of the virus has significant aftermath for developed countries, it will be catastrophic on developing countries.

If the spread of the virus has significant aftermath for developed countries, it will be catastrophic and devastating for developing countries as a result of the fragile economic structure and their dependence  on the investments and the export from the developed countries. Omer noted.

The indicators show that developing countries will lose two million jobs

Omar explained that the indicators and estimates about the countries of the Middle East show that they will lose nearly 2 million jobs. Therefore, these effects will have an impact in Syria as well It will be larger than other countries that are experiencing stability.

The war in Syria has caused losing 60% of domestic production

The impact of Corona on Syria’s economy in general,: “As the result of 10-year war in Syria, the West sanctions on the Syrian economy, and the destroyed economic sectors, the Syrian economy has lost more than 60 % of its GDP.”

“Syrian government’s measures to reduce coronavirus will increase budget deficit“

“More than 80 % of the Syrian people today live under the poverty line. The inflation rate is 2,000 % and the Syrian pound has lost a large part of its value.”

The purchasing power of a large group of the Syrian people is minimal. So any measures to prevent the coronavirus will add additional burdens on the population in Syria. Of course the government measures in my opinion despite their effectiveness will increase the deficit in the public budget  and the indebtedness because the economic sectors are suffering from low productivity as the result of the sanctions. Covid-19 will cause an additional decline in economic indicators.”

“the Autonomous Administration of the North and East of Syria areas will not be spared from these negative economic effects and repercussions“

As the result of the precautionary measures against the coronavirus, including “curfews, suspension of work, institutions, businesses and departments, will have negative effects on the region’s economy, and day laborers.”

“Of course, the curfew will do the biggest damage, primarily on the day laborers, so the administration and society as a whole are obliged to find alternative solutions that will ensure their livelihood,” Omar said.

“We must not forget that the northeastern areas of Syria are home to more than 700,000 displaced“

“We must not forget that the northeastern areas of Syria are home to more than 700,000 displaced” at their camps, and with international aid halting through Til Koçber crossing,” Rabia”, after it closure, will place additional burdens and challenges on the Autonomous Administration in securing the food in addition to meeting the necessary measures to reduce the onset of the coronavirus.”

“the Autonomous Administration is obliged to pay great attention to agriculture,”

In order to secure food, the Autonomous Administration is obliged to pay great attention to agriculture,. “Today we are near to harvest season, the main source of livelihood for most of the people of the region. Therefore, measures must be taken to secure their harvest, because we need to achieve self-security, i.e. safety, durability and continuity of basic food products and supplies.

In order to sustain these essential supplies in the markets and prevent monopoly, the Autonomous Administration must activate control committees in order to control prices and prevent monopoly.

” to achieve the food security , there must be a strategy to achieve self-sufficiency in the region“

Omar noted that achieving food security needs for a strategy to achieve self-sufficiency in the region which is rich in “energy, fertile land, labor, water resources,”. “There is a potential for sustainable agriculture that achieve food security.”

He explained that instead of providing food aid by the administration, they can play a role in controlling prices, raise income levels through alternative ways or securing food items in the markets at reasonable prices.

Omar stressed that in order to achieve food security and self-sufficiency, the Autonomous Administration is obliged to develop the social and commune economy, by paying attention to agricultural commodities, basic industrial products and suspending the import of the luxury goods. The financial and monetary resources in the region to meet the basic needs to cope with the virus and to achieve some kind of living stability.

In order to cope with this crisis, it is necessary to find products through local enterprises.

“In order to confront this crisis, it is necessary to prevent monopoly, and secure these products through local agricultural and industrial projects. The administration must support these existing entities or encourage investors to ensure the strategic stock of the basic food, most importantly grains and fuels.”

Omar thinks that the ability of the Autonomous Administration in the North and East of Syria to achieve self-sufficiency and food security will also enable it to develop the health sector and healthcare needed to cope with the coronavirus, pointing out that providing the healthcare is an additional cost on the administration and society at this time that needs sustainable economic resources.

The author and economist Omar concluded by emphasizing that taking these measures not only solves the problems of the economy and the living stability of citizens, and reduces health problems in order to face this virus, but also reduces the social problems that may result from unemployment and the interruption of work, Markets have stopped.