04:22Residents in Damascus visit local shops and markets to buy traditional food as a part of their preparations for the holy month of Ramadan.
Footage filmed on Saturday features local shops with popular products associated with this month such as dates and sweets on display as well as lanterns and other Ramadan-themed accessories available for sale.
According to the residents, the price of food skyrocketed when compared with the last year.
"Prices have increased significantly compared to last year. We used to purchase a kilogramme or two, but now we can only afford ounces. The prices of all commodities have increased beyond our purchase capabilities, so we rarely go out to the markets or to buy the necessities. Our purchase capability in the past was much more than today," said Lian.
Another respondent, Umm Zain, noted that it's 'not easy for everyone' to get ready for Ramadan this year as 'prices have doubled', though adding: "Thank God, the situation is better than before when we were grappling with the war."
For their part, traders have denied any responsibility of raising prices as the price of raw materials they use has risen, reflecting the prices of the goods they display.
The confectioner Mustafa Khalaf pointed out that the price hike is 'obligatory' by them due to the rising prices of the materials they use.
UN reports that 90 per cent of Syrians live below the poverty line. The Syrian war in 2011 has pushed the deterioration of the economic situation. The US dollar was worth SP 47 prior the war, now Syrians need about 13,000 pounds to buy one US dollar.
'It's not easy' - Damascus residents get ready for Ramadan amid rising food prices
Residents in Damascus visit local shops and markets to buy traditional food as a part of their preparations for the holy month of Ramadan.
Footage filmed on Saturday features local shops with popular products associated with this month such as dates and sweets on display as well as lanterns and other Ramadan-themed accessories available for sale.
According to the residents, the price of food skyrocketed when compared with the last year.
"Prices have increased significantly compared to last year. We used to purchase a kilogramme or two, but now we can only afford ounces. The prices of all commodities have increased beyond our purchase capabilities, so we rarely go out to the markets or to buy the necessities. Our purchase capability in the past was much more than today," said Lian.
Another respondent, Umm Zain, noted that it's 'not easy for everyone' to get ready for Ramadan this year as 'prices have doubled', though adding: "Thank God, the situation is better than before when we were grappling with the war."
For their part, traders have denied any responsibility of raising prices as the price of raw materials they use has risen, reflecting the prices of the goods they display.
The confectioner Mustafa Khalaf pointed out that the price hike is 'obligatory' by them due to the rising prices of the materials they use.
UN reports that 90 per cent of Syrians live below the poverty line. The Syrian war in 2011 has pushed the deterioration of the economic situation. The US dollar was worth SP 47 prior the war, now Syrians need about 13,000 pounds to buy one US dollar.
Residents in Damascus visit local shops and markets to buy traditional food as a part of their preparations for the holy month of Ramadan.
Footage filmed on Saturday features local shops with popular products associated with this month such as dates and sweets on display as well as lanterns and other Ramadan-themed accessories available for sale.
According to the residents, the price of food skyrocketed when compared with the last year.
"Prices have increased significantly compared to last year. We used to purchase a kilogramme or two, but now we can only afford ounces. The prices of all commodities have increased beyond our purchase capabilities, so we rarely go out to the markets or to buy the necessities. Our purchase capability in the past was much more than today," said Lian.
Another respondent, Umm Zain, noted that it's 'not easy for everyone' to get ready for Ramadan this year as 'prices have doubled', though adding: "Thank God, the situation is better than before when we were grappling with the war."
For their part, traders have denied any responsibility of raising prices as the price of raw materials they use has risen, reflecting the prices of the goods they display.
The confectioner Mustafa Khalaf pointed out that the price hike is 'obligatory' by them due to the rising prices of the materials they use.
UN reports that 90 per cent of Syrians live below the poverty line. The Syrian war in 2011 has pushed the deterioration of the economic situation. The US dollar was worth SP 47 prior the war, now Syrians need about 13,000 pounds to buy one US dollar.