People in the embattled opposition-held Eastern Ghouta have resorted to traditional means of baking their own bread, thanks to the regime’s besiegement of the Damascus suburbs causing a huge rise in food prices.
Abou Hashim, a 70-year-old man from the city of Douma, said he could not afford daily expenses due to the price hike and was forced to make his own bread using wheat and barley.
He explained that he usually needs two bags of bread each day, which has become unaffordable since the regime blockaded the area as punishment for rebel gains in areas of the capital.
Abou Hashim said the current situation pushed him to return to old ways of making bread from wheat and barley, which is baked on top of a hot surface. He said that with this method he can save more than half the money needed to buy bread from a bakery.
Handmade bread has also become a source of income for some. Khaled Dahbour works to produce bread for people who bring him their wheat or barley. He explained to Iqtissad that the profession of a traditional community baker has returned and provided a source of income for many young men.
“This way of producing bread has positive effects on young men. It has provided job opportunities for young men and others, amid the unprecedented hard economic situation which goes [from] bad to worse as a result of the blockade. But people need to adapt to new conditions until a solution is found,” Khalid explained.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
