At a donor conference in Brussels, countries pledged €5.8 billion for Syria, down from €7.5 billion last year. The participation of Syrian authorities marked a new chapter, yet recent violence raises concerns. While the EU and other nations committed significant funds, U.S. aid cuts have prompted calls for increased contributions from other countries.
At a recent conference held in Brussels, international donors pledged €5.8 billion (approximately $6.3 billion) in aid for Syria. This amount marked a decline from the €7.5 billion committed at the same event the previous year, indicating a potential decrease in foreign support as U.S. funding appears to diminish. The EU is advocating for stability in Syria following years of civil conflict that have displaced millions.
The conference saw the participation of Syrian authorities, represented for the first time by interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani. However, a recent surge in violence has undermined confidence in the transitional government while Syrian authorities continue to seek international support for recovery efforts.
The total pledged includes €4.2 billion in grants and €1.6 billion in loans, with the European Commission committing nearly €2.5 billion for this and next year to assist both Syrians and neighboring countries. Significant contributions also came from Germany and the United Kingdom, amounting to $330 million and $210 million, respectively.
Despite these commitments, U.S. aid remains a concern as President Trump’s budget cuts have affected support for the region, prompting U.S. representative Natasha Franceschi to indicate the need for other nations to increase their contributions. \n
Syria’s new government representatives have requested further sanction relief to promote recovery efforts. They have expressed gratitude for eased sanctions from the EU but urge for more action to fulfill their recovery aspirations. Significant violence in regions of Syria has hampered these efforts, with reports of almost 1,500 civilian fatalities linked to security forces.
The country continues to face a critical humanitarian crisis affecting roughly 16.7 million individuals in need of assistance. Despite ongoing challenges, advocates like Mirjana Spoljaric from the International Committee of the Red Cross emphasize the necessity of continued humanitarian aid, warning against withdrawing support during this vulnerable period. The UN estimates that full economic recovery may take over 50 years at the current growth trajectory.
The recent conference highlighted donor nations’ pledges totaling €5.8 billion for Syria, a stark decrease from the previous year. The participation of Syrian authorities reflects a shifting dynamic, albeit overshadowed by recent violence that erodes confidence in the transitional government. As the humanitarian crisis persists, the international community must balance aid with expectations of political progress to foster stability and recovery in Syria.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com
