At the Brussels conference, international donors pledged €5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) in aid for Syria, but this figure is lower than last year’s €7.5 billion. The European Union contributed the largest share, while US representative Natasha Franceschi called for other countries to increase their contributions. For the first time, Syria’s transitional government participated, urging donors to enhance support and ease sanctions.
At the recent Brussels conference, international donors pledged €5.8 billion (approximately $6.3 billion) in aid for Syria. This amount is lower than last year’s commitments, attributed primarily to a decline in US funding. The ninth edition of this ongoing conference, titled “Standing with Syria: Meeting the Needs for a Successful Transition,” highlights the ongoing humanitarian needs in the region.
The European Union was the largest contributor, offering around €2.5 billion (about $2.7 billion) to assist those affected within Syria and in neighboring countries. Significant contributions also came from Germany and the UK, which pledged $330 million and $210 million, respectively. The total aid commitment this year, however, is less than last year’s €7.5 billion.
US representative Natasha Franceschi did not announce new funding during the conference. Instead, she emphasized that the United States has contributed more than $18.3 billion over the past 14 years to help the Syrian people and urged other nations to increase their financial commitments. “We will continue to provide certain assistance in line with US policies and laws,” she stated.
Notably, this conference marked the first participation of Syria’s transitional government, represented by Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani. Al-Shibani appealed for increased aid and the easing of sanctions to support the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria.
The Brussels conference witnessed a significant pledge of €5.8 billion in aid for Syria, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis. Despite this, pledges fell short compared to prior commitments, reflecting a decline in US funding. The participation of Syria’s transitional government signifies a new phase in dialogues for aid and assistance, as calls for increased contributions from other countries became apparent.
Original Source: shafaq.com
