**1. Introduction**

Countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA Region) face major challenges in terms of food supply and food security. High dependency on food imports combined with ongoing conflicts and reoccurring climate shocks make the region particularly vulnerable to food crises. Among the 10 countries with the most people affected by food insecurity (IPC/CH Phase 3 or above), three are located in the Middle East including Yemen, Afghanistan, and Syria [1]. In Syria, approximately 9.3 million people were food insecure and needed food, humanitarian, and livelihood assistance between October and December 2020 [1].
