Decimated

"Malnutrition rates in the northeastern governorates are higher than the Syrian average," Ali Adbul Hussain, nutrition consultant for UNICEF Syria, told IRIN. "This is due to poor infrastructure and is one of the major effects of the drought in the region." A three-year drought has decimated Syria's agricultural sector. UNICEF says malnutrition is just one issue of concern. "The indications for the northeast are all below the averages for the country, but especially on malnutrition where the figures are alarming," Razan Rashidi, a UNICEF communications assistant, said. " (Thanks Rania)

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