QAMISHLI, Syria — Authorities in northeast Syria (Rojava) have registered tens of cases of shopkeepers charging too much for their wares in the past week with the currency weak and a lockdown imposed to limit spread of the coronavirus.
“The markets are on fire. One kilo of tomatoes sells for 3,000 pounds. Isn’t it a crime?” said shopper Miryam Ibrahim. “We live in hunger. A dozen of pieces of bread cost 1,000 pounds. Isn’t that haram? I cook potatoes and rice. One kilo of rice costs 3,000 pounds. We’re tired and dying of hunger.”
After a decade of conflict, and pummeled by US sanctions last year, the Syrian pound has plummeted in value and people are struggling to survive. According to the United Nations, nearly 90 percent of Syrians live below the poverty line and some 13.4 million people in the country need humanitarian aid.
The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has formed a committee to observe the markets and ensure prices are fair. Daily they announce prices based on the value of the pound, but shoppers say prices are different in every shop.
“The prices vary from one shop to another. When you go to a pharmacy, you may find medicine for 1,000 pounds, the same may cost 800 in another or 1,200 in another one. Each of the shops has its own prices,” said Haytham Ibrahim.
Shop owners buy goods in US dollars, but workers are paid in Syrian pounds.
Authorities have registered tens of violations across Rojava during the lockdown that started on April 6.
“There are people who violate the law, but there are big and small violations. If they exaggerate when setting prices, there are punishments that we mete out, like fines or closing the shop. The final option is imprisonment,” said Raniy Mohammed, co-chair of the Food Rations and Consumer Protection Board.
On Sunday, Rojava’s health directorate reported 298 new coronavirus cases and three deaths. They have registered a total of 12,236 cases and 422 deaths.
Translation and video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
