International Donors Pledge €5.8 Billion for Syria Amid Rising Challenges
International donors pledged €5.8 billion in aid for Syria at the Brussels conference, a decline from last year’s €7.5 billion. While the EU and individual countries increased their commitments, diminishing U.S. support has impacted overall funding. The Syrian government seeks further aid and sanction relief amidst ongoing violence and humanitarian crises affecting millions.
At a recent conference in Brussels, international donors committed a total of €5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) in aid for Syria, a decrease from last year’s €7.5 billion pledge. The EU led these efforts but noted that U.S. funding has diminished, affecting overall contributions to aid the war-torn country following the 14-year civil war. The conference featured Syria’s interim Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shibani, marking the first representation of Syrian authorities at the event.
The pledges included €4.2 billion in grants and €1.6 billion in loans, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announcing Brussels would enhance its contributions to nearly €2.5 billion in the coming year. Individual country support is also significant, with Germany and the UK pledging $330 million and $210 million respectively. While U.S. aid has exceeded $18.3 billion over the years, U.S. representative Natasha Franceschi suggested that other nations need to increase their assistance.
In the wake of increasing demands for aid, Syria’s new leadership, under Ahmed al-Sharaa, is actively seeking relief from sanctions to aid in the country’s recovery. Shibani acknowledged the EU’s recent measures but called for further actions to meet their recovery expectations. Despite turmoil, there are indications of progress, such as al-Sharaa’s signing of a constitutional declaration aimed at advancing transitional governance.
However, recent outbreaks of violence have questioned the strength of trust in the new regime, with over 1,500 civilians reportedly killed, primarily from the Alawite minority. Shibani affirmed a commitment to justice for any crimes committed, promoting a vision of citizenship that encompasses all Syrians. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria remains severe, with approximately 16.7 million individuals requiring urgent assistance. As cautioned by Mirjana Spoljaric of the International Committee of the Red Cross, withdrawing aid would exacerbate suffering and hinder recovery efforts. Consequently, the United Nations emphasizes that at current growth rates, Syria may take over 50 years to return to its pre-war economic stability.
The recent pledge of €5.8 billion in aid for Syria, while significant, reflects a decline in contributions compared to the previous year. The ongoing challenges faced by Syria, including humanitarian crises and the need for political stability, underscore the importance of sustained international support and effective governance. As the country navigates recovery from a long-standing conflict, further efforts in collaboration and assistance are critical to mitigate the dire humanitarian situation.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com
