Project Overview
Since April 2022, The Heracles Group has shored up food security in Northeast Syria by fully
rehabilitating three strategic wheat mills—Al-Rawda and Al-Fahad (Raqqa Governorate) and
Al-Furat (Deir ez-Zor). Working with local agronomists and milling engineers, the team replaced
worn rollers, installed new grain-cleaning lines, and recommissioned power systems to keep
flour moving even during grid outages. Over the 15-month intervention, Heracles imported and
blended 5,323 t of soft wheat with 2,971 t of hard wheat, producing 5,970 t of fortified flour
and 2,280 t of protein-rich bran—enough to feed 45,000 people and support 28 bakeries
while providing income for 100+ mill and logistics workers.
The upgrade proved vital when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 sent global wheat
prices soaring and squeezed already fragile Syrian supply chains.
The problem
Prolonged drought, conflict damage, and 2022’s global wheat shock left NES bakeries rationing output. Aging mills could not handle harder imported wheat, so bread quality fell and prices spiked, putting the staple out of reach for many vulnerable families
Our Solution “Mill. Mix. Feed.”:
- Triple-site overhaul: modern roller mills, sifters, and generators restore full 24 h-day capacity.
- Fortified blends: combine soft and hard wheat for higher-protein flour that meets Syrian dietary norms.
- Local jobs & skills: train operators, electricians, and quality-control staff in preventive maintenance.
- Shock-proof logistics: pre-position grain silos and spare parts to weather border or fuel disruptions
Impact: “Bread Back on the Table”
- 74,768 families receive subsidised flour; 11,400 livestock breeders get affordable bran.
- 40 % flour-price drop versus peak 2022 market rates in target districts.
- 100+ steady jobs inside the mills and supply chain, with women filling 20 % of quality‐lab roles.
- Resilient bakeries: 28 ovens upgrade to higher-protein dough, improving caloric intake.
Funding Status & Call for Support
The Raqqa–Deir ez-Zor pilot is fully funded and operational. To extend reliable, affordable bread across Syria and cushion farmers and bakers against future price shocks, Heracles welcomes new donors and partners.
Future Needs — “”
- National rollout: rehabilitate 8 additional mills across Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Damascus-Rural, and Sweida to reach 400,000 more people.
- Solar-diesel hybrids: install 2 MW of rooftop solar plus battery storage to shave fuel costs by ~35 %.
- Grain reserve fund: capitalise a €2 M revolving fund to bulk-purchase wheat during price dips and shield bakeries from market shocks.
- Cold-chain fortification: add five refrigerated trucks so bran and flour reach livestock keepers and bakeries during summer heatwaves.
- Workforce pipeline: certify 150 millers and lab techs (30 % women) through a joint TVET programme with local councils
- Nutrition monitoring: deploy mobile quality-testing kits and a digital dashboard to track flour protein and micronutrient levels in real time.
