The 10th phase of the “Household Food Security Assessment Survey in Syria for 2026” will begin on June 27. The survey is being conducted by the Planning and Statistics Authority in coordination with the governorates “to provide accurate data on food security levels among Syrian households.”
The Syrian Planning and Statistics Authority said in an announcement that fieldwork for the survey will run for 35 days. It aims to build integrated databases that monitor the demographic, economic, and social characteristics of targeted households, ensuring that actual needs are identified accurately and that relief and development interventions are designed based on real evidence.
The Planning and Statistics Authority also called on citizens across the different governorates to cooperate with field teams and facilitate the process of filling out statistical forms.
The authority reassured families that all researchers assigned to the survey carry identification cards and official, certified assignment letters issued by the authority, to verify their identity and ensure the safety of procedures.
Bridging the Statistical Gap
Mohammad Tawfiq Nahlawi, a specialist in web science and data management, told Enab Baladi that launching the 2026 food security survey represents an advanced step toward adopting evidence-based policies in Syria, amid continuing gaps in national data.
According to the specialist, the survey stands out for its comprehensiveness. It is not limited to measuring food availability, but also includes demographic, economic, and social dimensions, allowing for a deeper understanding of the causes of food insecurity.
Nahlawi said the results are especially important for supporting the development of sustainable development indicators, particularly those linked to ending poverty and hunger, at a stage that requires careful planning for recovery efforts.
The data management specialist noted that the survey’s effectiveness depends on the quality of field implementation and the extent to which its results are used practically to guide policies and programs.
The specialist also discussed the importance of strengthening access to data through interactive digital platforms, supporting analysis and transparency.
In this context, the Planning and Statistics Authority’s move to update its website and publish indicators such as the consumer price index represents a positive development that should be built upon.
According to Nahlawi, the most important challenge remains translating the survey’s results into tangible measures that help improve social protection, strengthen the targeting of aid, and support local food production.
Reconstruction in the 21st century is no longer only a battle of cement and steel. At its core, it has become a battle of data. In a world where countries are measured by their ability to produce and use knowledge, data represents the fuel of the digital economy, a tool of modern governance, and the real engine of any sustainable revival.
Syria’s MDC and Saudi Arabia’s Cipher recently announced the establishment of Syria’s first Tier III data center, in a move specialists described as “going beyond a commercial or technical agreement.”
Nahlawi considers the partnership a foundational step toward building a national digital infrastructure capable of supporting digital transformation, strengthening data sovereignty, and preparing the country for a data-based economy.