"This event is not just about food; it's about bringing life back to this devastated place," said Bisan Ramadan, a volunteer from a local charity group that helped organize a communal iftar in the devastated Syrian neighborhood al-Qaboun.

"People are happy, especially the children. They need moments like these," she said.

by Hummam Sheikh Ali

DAMASCUS, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Amid the gray rubble of shattered concrete and collapsed buildings, hundreds of war-weary Syrians huddled together for a communal iftar in the devastated al-Qaboun neighborhood, north of Damascus, on Tuesday.

Rows of tables lined the rubble-strewn streets, with makeshift string lights illuminating the gathering as families, children, and volunteers broke their fast together. The event, organized by Syrian and Turkish humanitarian groups, aimed to provide a sense of normalcy and relief for families struggling under economic hardship.

"This event is not just about food; it's about bringing life back to this devastated place," said Bisan Ramadan, a volunteer from a local charity group in al-Qaboun that helped organize the event.

"People are happy, especially the children. They need moments like these," she said.

Al-Qaboun, once a bustling district of the Syrian capital, now stands in ruins after years of war. Though the guns have largely fallen silent, the scars of conflict remain, and the economic situation has worsened, leaving many Syrians unable to afford necessities.

"This is part of our Ramadan Iftar Project," said Mohammad Bakour, Damascus director for the Turkish humanitarian organization Al-Fath. "Since the beginning of Ramadan, we have been distributing meals in different areas. Today, in al-Qaboun, we provided iftar for 850 people."

Syria's economy remains deeply mired in crisis, exacerbated by harsh sanctions and liquidity shortages. The change in authority has done little to shift the course of the economic downturn. Despite a decrease in staple goods prices, many Syrians continue to struggle to afford even the necessities.

Hayam Ali, a Syrian economic expert, told Xinhua that the country's GDP has shrunk by 84 percent since 2010, pushing nearly 90 percent of the population into poverty. Hyperinflation, a collapsing currency, and fuel shortages continue to worsen conditions. Energy production is critically low, with electricity generation and oil output far below demand.

The interim government is advocating for further sanctions relief, arguing that restrictions, such as the U.S. Caesar Act, are stalling economic recovery.

However, for Syrians, who are making their living day to day, their hopes rest on a quick resolution to the economic challenges that have plagued them for over a decade. Until then, charity efforts, no matter how small, remain a crucial lifeline to help them navigate these difficult times.