Infant formula shortage in Syria, exacerbated by devastating earthquake

Nursing mothers are struggling to find infant formula in Syria after the 6 February earthquake exacerbated existing shortages in the country, risking long-term harm to young children.

In both regime-held and opposition areas of Syria, individuals reported difficulty procuring infant formula after the devastating earthquake left over 42,000 dead and up to 5.3 million homeless.

"There is a great demand for baby milk: most of those affected by the earthquake were children who lost their families and needed to at least secure food," Fatima (a pseudonym), who is sourcing and distributing infant formula for needy families in Damascus, told The New Arab.

The WHO and UNICEF warned on 12 February that there was an acute risk to infants and young children of breastfeeding age in the quake's aftermath and urged immediate international intervention.

"During such emergencies, the importance of breastfeeding and increase of … mortality risks associated with no breastfeeding are more pronounced," the joint statement said.

Infant formula is difficult to find on pharmacy shelves, and even when available, prices for a single can of formula reach up to 70,000 Syrian Lira (US$9.60) – 75 per cent of the monthly minimum wage of 92,790 Lira (US$12.71).

Prices can reach even higher on the black market, where individuals who brought formula from Lebanon or imported stock significantly mark up the product.

There has been an influx of international aid to Syria to help address the immense humanitarian needs after the earthquake, but infant formula remains in short supply in the country.

Three sources – two in Latakia and one in Damascus – said that even in emergency relief shelters for earthquake victims, there is not enough infant formula.

UNICEF is currently assessing to see if there is a shortage of infant formula in northwest Syria and has begun procuring supplies for breastfeeding mothers and infants.

"If our assessments show that there is any shortage of infant formula, UNICEF will procure formula … prioritising infants under six months," Ammar Ammar, the regional chief of advocacy and communication for UNICEF Middle East, told TNA.

In Syria, the need for infant formula is particularly pronounced as a "high percentage of children" are dependent on infant formula.

The rate of mothers in Syria who do not supplement breastfeeding with formula is as low as 19 per cent, according to the WHO.

Some mothers have already resorted to coping mechanisms to feed their young children without a steady supply of formula.

"If they are six months or older, [mothers] resort to feeding them. If they are younger, [mothers] will have someone breastfeed them or have them drink a type of milk not suitable for their age," Fatima explained.

Syria was already experiencing an infant formula crisis before the earthquake due to a lack of foreign exchange for imports.

Importers also did not want to sell infant formula at the government-mandated price, claiming they were losing money on the difference between the official and the actual market exchange rate.

The Ministry of Internal Trade decided to raise the price of infant formula in December 2022 to address the shortage – however, shortages have persisted, especially post-earthquake.

Many Syrians blame traders for the shortages, claiming they hoard formula to drive up prices.

"In every crisis, there are the opportunists. There were the crisis merchants, the war merchants and now the earthquake merchants," Rasha, a resident of Latakia whose last name is withheld for fear of reprisal, told TNA.

"From their perspective, this is a godsend, with these extraordinary prices," she added. 

Before the earthquake, up to 90 per cent of Syria's population was in poverty, beleaguered by years of war, endemic corruption and international sanctions.