International Donors Pledge €5.8 Billion in Aid for Syria Amid Declining Support
At the Brussels IX Conference, donors pledged €5.8 billion for Syrian aid, a drop from last year’s €7.5 billion due to declining U.S. support. The EU’s commitment includes €4.2 billion in grants and €1.6 billion in loans, as Syria’s interim Foreign Minister attended for the first time amid ongoing violence. Calls for increased international support highlight the urgent humanitarian needs facing the nation.
At the recent Brussels IX Conference, international donors pledged €5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) in aid for Syria, a decrease from the €7.5 billion pledged last year. This drop in support is attributed, in part, to diminishing U.S. assistance following budget cuts. The European Union, which led the funding efforts, announced a commitment to allocate nearly €2.5 billion for the year ahead, reflecting its ongoing concern for the country’s stability after years of civil war.
The conference marked a significant milestone, as Syrian authorities, represented by interim Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shibani, were in attendance for the first time. Despite this development, a recent outbreak of violence has undermined confidence in the newly established authorities, raising concerns about the upcoming transition attempts. The total pledges included €4.2 billion in grants and €1.6 billion in loans, highlighting notable contributions from countries like Germany and the UK.
U.S. representative Natasha Franceschi commented on the need for other nations to contribute more, emphasizing that the United States has historically provided substantial aid to Syria. With over $18.3 billion in assistance over the past 14 years, Franceschi asserted that U.S. support must now be complemented by international partners to effectively address the crisis.
In response to their worsening situation, Syria’s new government is urging for relief from sanctions to facilitate recovery. Minister Shibani acknowledged some easing of sanctions by the EU but expressed a need for more substantial measures. Initiatives towards transition were noted, including a constitutional declaration promoting rights for women and freedoms of expression, albeit overshadowed by recent violence that has hindered progress.
The humanitarian crisis in Syria remains staggering, with 16.7 million people in dire need of assistance. A leading humanitarian figure, Mirjana Spoljaric, warned against reducing aid, asserting that significant portions of the population rely on this support for survival. According to UN assessments, it may take Syria over half a century to rebuild its economy to pre-war standards if current aid efforts are not sustained, highlighting the urgency of continued international support for the war-torn nation.
The recent Brussels IX Conference witnessed a decline in pledges for Syrian aid, illustrating the challenges faced in securing international funding amidst significant geopolitical changes. With the dire humanitarian crisis persisting, and the need for recovery becoming increasingly immediate, the ongoing involvement of global partners remains crucial to prevent further deterioration of the situation in Syria. The transition efforts of the new authorities are pivotal, yet they face substantial skepticism and challenges that necessitate a robust and sustained response from the international community.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com
