RAMA HALAF

Damascus- The ongoing clashes in Syria have displaced thousands to Damascus. The landlords have taken advantage of this situation by raising rents in the city causing the displaced people to suffer from a shortage of affordable housing. Following the fall of the Assad regime, a new phase of social justice and economic reforms were expected; however, the displaced people in Damascus continue to face exploitation.

A new form of exploitation emerges

The surging US dollar caused the price hikes for goods, including food, clothing and medication, in Syria. Although there is no rise in the dollar now, people, especially displaced people, suffer from price hikes. Since Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control of Damascus, a new form of exploitation has emerged in the country due to lack of control and economic chaos. The inequality between salaries and rental prices causes serious problems in daily life.

Increasing number of women living alone

There is an increase in the number of women living alone in Damascus. Aila Al-Hadi, a displaced woman from Deir ez-Zor and Bayan Mushaileh, a displaced woman from the city of Daraa, live alone in Damascus, suffering from the recent price hikes.

‘There must be rent assessment committees’

Alia Al-Hadi took refuge in Damascus after losing her parents and husband. “I came here to build a better future for my children; however, we suffer from high rents and the cost of living. Whenever I look for a rental house, I tell the landlords that I am a single woman taking care of my children but when they learn that I am a displaced woman from Deir ez-Zor, they ask for higher rents. My 12-year-old son began to work to support me,” Alia Al-Hadi told NuJINHA. “We have not noticed any change in prices since the fall of the regime. Although the Syrian pound has strengthened against the US dollar, my landlord wants to increase my rent. If I do not accept the increase in my rent, I will have to look for another rental house. There must be rent assessment committees to assess fair and market rents of houses because what I earn is insufficient to cover all these expenses.”

‘We face the gender pay gap’

 

The ongoing Syrian crisis displaced Bayan Mushaileh from the city of Daraa to Damascus. “At the beginning, the rents were somewhat acceptable; however, the rents started to increase five years ago. Although the Syrian pound has recently strengthened against the US dollar, the increase in rents continues. There are many displaced people in Damascus and the landlords have taken advantage of this situation by raising rents. Another challenge faced by us is the gender pay gap. Women earn less than men even if they do the same job. We cannot make ends meet anymore.”