The Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Mental Health Among Syrians and Syrian Refugees During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations, such as internally displaced Syrians and Syrian refugees (SRR) in Middle Eastern host coun-tries, through a syndemic interplay of health, social, and economic challenges. Move-ment restrictions disrupted their livelihoods resulting in increased food insecurity. A mixed-method approach was used to address the research question: "What is the rela-tionship between food insecurity, mental health, and COVID-19 among displaced SRR working in agriculture?" 100 SRR participants working in agriculture were recruited from northern Syria and neighbouring countries to participate in a Household Survey. The survey data were analysed using correlation and regression analysis. Additionally, interviews with Household Survey researchers were conducted and thematically ana-lysed. Increasing food insecurity was significantly correlated with worse mental health outcomes among SRR participants (rs = -.24, p = .018). No moderation effects were found with COVID-19 measures or household responses to the pandemic. However, smaller food portions and storing food were positively correlated with poor mental health and food insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity and mental health challenges among displaced Syrians and refugees, particularly during Ramadan 2020, highlighting the compounded effects of overlapping crises and the need for further research into resilience strategies.