The second blow was the financial and economic crisis in Lebanon, which serves as a hub for international financial transactions, and many Syrian households and firms hold deposits there estimated to be worth at least $20bn. Suddenly, last year it became impossible to withdraw or use funds in Lebanese banks.
The third blow was the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit the Syrian healthcare system already weakened by war. Over the past 10 years, thousands of medical personnel fled the country looking for an income, and only half of the pre-conflict hospitals are still operating.
Millions of migrants left Syria in search of income and stability. Most were working until the pandemic started. They had been sending money back home to Syria to support family members. However, according to UNOCHA, remittances to Syria fell off 50 % as Syrian migrants lost their jobs due to the pandemic and lockdowns and downturns in businesses abroad in the face of COVID-19.
Steven Sahiounie is an award-winning journalist
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