Syria's economy is based heavily upon agriculture, human services, and oil. It's major exports include crude oil, minerals, petroleum products, fruits and vegetables, cotton fiber, textiles, clothing, meat and live animals, and wheat. However, Syria's economy has deteriorated significantly since the beginning of the Civil War. The poor economic situation has contributed to the humanitarian crisis that this country now faces. Unfortunately, with the ongoing war, it has proven challenging for statisticians to make accurate estimates of the current economic situation. According to the CIA World Factbook, unemployment rates are estimated to be 50%. In a ranking comparison with other countries, Syria has the 6th highest rate of unemployment. As of 2016, it was estimated that Syria's inflation rate was 47.7%, making it the highest recorded inflation rate reported on The World Factbook (CIA). Due to these circumstance, many civilians do not have the means to provide for their families. Without the ability to provide food and adequate shelter, malnutrition paired with exposure and subsequent illness are inevitable. 

​

Prior to the Syrian Civil War, Syria’s economy was flourishing. Syria was nearly self-sufficient in their pharmaceutical industry, supplying 90% of medications. Their medical field was previously praised as being one of the most developed in the Middle East. However, after six years of conflict the economy and medical infrastructure have deteriorated significantly.

​

Many hospitals in Syria have been forced to close due to the conflict. Reports from Physician’s for Human Rights have stated that hospitals as well as medical personnel have been targeted throughout the war. Elizabeth Hoff, WHO representative for Syria, has stated that an estimated 95% of doctors have been arrested, killed, or have fled the city of Aleppo alone. This region has been at the epicenter of conflict since the beginning of the war in 2011. Additionally, electrical outages among areas under siege have led to medical center closures. The cost of fuel has risen dramatically and has made the use of back-up generators impossible (Dlewati 2016). 

​

Sanctions on U.S. trade were implemented following the outbreak of civil war in 2011 by former President Barrack Obama. As described by the state department, these sanctions have been issued to deprive the existing regime of resources that it may use to further repress and commit violent attacks against civilians. Trade sanctions on Syria have also been implemented by the European Union (U.S. Department of State). These sanctions have discouraged many industries abroad from trading with Syria out of fear of violation of the sanctions. Medications and health care equipment have only reached Syria through non-governmental organizations and nonprofit organizations because they are exempt from these sanctions (Dlewati 2016)

​

With severe medical supply shortages, many civilians who require basic medical care, check-ups, and medication have fallen to the wayside to make room for trauma victims. In an interview with Dr. Ahmad Tarakji, president of the Syrian American Medical Society, News Deeply reported that with no resources, civilians are dying of mild injuries. Deterioration of medical infrastructure has also left many civilians, especially young children, without access to vaccinations leading to outbreaks diseases such as polio, meningitis, and measles. To exacerbate the situation further, the cost of food has increased and access to clean water has decreased which has led to rampant malnutrition. The destruction of property and lack of proper shelter for many displaced Syrian people has left them exposed to infectious diseases including parasite, typhoid, and tuberculosis (Dlewati 2016) 

​

For the people of Syria, the collapse of the health care economy and infrastructure has devastated the population. Hospitals have closed and medical personnel have fled for their lives. Inflation, which had increased twelve fold since 2011 (as of 2016), has led to basic human needs such as food to become nearly unattainable to many civilians. Improper housing and unsanitary conditions have led to increases in infectious diseases. Sanctions imposed by the US and EU have further crippled the healthcare system of Syria in their attempts to deprive the regime. Limited information is available to make estimates on the extent of damage to Syria’s healthcare (The World Bank 2016). David Scales, a physician and resident at Cambridge Health Alliance, said “..we really don’t know how bad the public health situation is in much of the country, particularly in heavily hit regions of Aleppo. But what we do know is that it will take a generation to build the system back up again…” (Dlewati 2016)