Saudi funds Syria bakery repairs for 1.4 million people

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre and UNDP launched rehabilitation work at Az-Zabdani bakery in Rural Damascus, kicking off a $5 million project to restore bread production across Syria, according to a UNDP press release. The Saudi-funded initiative will repair 33 damaged bakeries in eight governorates, targeting areas with high numbers of displaced people and vulnerable families. The project aims to benefit 1.4 million Syrians over 14 months.

Years of conflict have left Syria’s food infrastructure in ruins, forcing many communities to struggle with bread shortages. The rehabilitation work will boost daily production capacity from 265 tons to 473 tons across all participating bakeries. Two mobile units and 13 modern production lines will improve bread quality and hygiene standards.

Az-Zabdani bakery once produced eight tons of bread daily for over 24,000 people in five villages before sustaining war damage. After repairs to its basement and ground floor, the facility will resume operations with expanded capacity of 12 tons per day.

“We believe that supporting bakery rehabilitation efforts and the recovery of food infrastructure is an investment in Syria’s future,” said Ahmed Saleh Al-Amro from KSrelief.

The project will create jobs for 350 bakers who will operate and maintain the upgraded facilities. Dr Rawhi Afaghani, UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative, called the work “an important step” that secures essential food supplies while creating employment in crisis-affected communities.