Syria's national welfare fund provided aid to citizens living below the poverty line, covering an estimated 420,000 families.

The fund will distribute $250 million over the next week in 170 centres nationally, the state press reported Monday (February 7th).

The financial aid will benefit low-income families suffering from a drought that hindered agricultural production during the past five years, pushing an additional three million people into poverty, according to UN estimates. Unemployment is estimated at 20%.

Syria is facing "considerable challenges" addressing poverty, according to Abdullah Dardari, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs.