Sunday, November 14, 2010

Fertile Cresant Not So Fertile?


In Syria there's a place where most of agriculture started. Where farming really took roots. But lately, the old ways are dying out. There's been a huge drought in that area that's actually spreading towards Iraq. The ancient irrrigation systems are failing after so long, the animals that are grazing are dying and “I had 400 acres of wheat, and now it’s all desert,” said Ahmed Abdullah, 48, who is now homeless and living scantily with his wife and twelve (whoa) kids. Though, admittedly, its from human misuse as it is from drought. The Syrian and Iraqian government is in a lot of trouble because they have to import a lot of their food. And meanwhile Iraq is war ravaged and are facing a water crisis that is almost unheard of. They complain that the Euphrates is being dammed by Turkey and is causing bad tension. Two million to three million people are deep into poverty and its a very sad condition. The Syrians are very touchy about the subject but has acknoledged that they need help and has developed a drought plan. There has been a large increase in illegal water drills, that's how dire the situation is.

Opinion:
This is a very dire situation that cannot be taken lightly. The Syrians are stuck between a rock and a hard place and can't seem to dig themselves out. Hopefully maybe the US will get out of Iraq and realize that they're already in danger from mother nature. If I had enough money, I would probably donate money to their cause.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/world/middleeast/14syria.html?partner=rss&emc=rss