Historic drought, wheat shortage to test Syria’s new leadership

By Sarah El Safty and Maha El Dahan

DUBAI (Reuters) -Syria faces a potential food crisis after the worst drought in 36 years slashed wheat production by around 40%, squeezing the country’s cash-strapped government, which has been unable to secure large-scale purchases.

Around three million Syrians could face severe hunger, the United Nations’ World Food Programme told Reuters in written answers to questions, without giving a timeframe.

Over half of the population of about 25.6 million is…