Syrians in Zaatari, the world’s largest Syrian refugee camp, are struggling to make ends meet this Ramadan after the World Food Program cut their food assistance by about a third last year due to funding shortfalls.
Syrian Muslims greeted Ramadan this week with empty pockets and shrinking menus, as the country grapples with the unprecedented expense and scarcity of basic goods and services.
As Ramadan draws to a close and Eid al-Fitr approaches, Syrian refugees in Europe seek community and renew traditions while missing the atmosphere and flavors of holidays past.
In Hama, some shops are offering installment plans of up to six months for struggling Syrians to buy new clothing for Eid.
This month, amid domestic political concerns and rising xenophobia, Turkey canceled its longstanding practice of allowing refugees to make temporary visits to Syria for Eid—a worrying sign of things to come.
Amid worsening economic conditions, Syrians throughout the country are greeting Ramadan this year with tighter budgets and “feelings of loss.”
