The western powers and neighbours of the region will attend a meeting in Brussels aimed at supporting the reconstruction of the country after the civil war.
The European Union hosted Syrian Donor Drive to encourage a peaceful transition following the expulsion of former leader Bashar al-Assad.
Western and regional powers took part in a one-day meeting on Monday in Brussels, chaired by EU foreign policy director Kaja Kallas.
The 14-year Civil War killed hundreds of thousands of Syrians, displaced millions, and destroyed the economy.
Of all donors, the EU reported that 5.8 billion euros ($6.3 billion) had pledged to Syria’s aid. “We have pledged to grants and loans totaling 5.8 billion euros,” said the EU member of the Mediterranean Devravka Watermelon, adding that the grants accounted for 4.2 billion euros ($4.6 billion) and the loans accounted for 1.6 billion ($1.755 billion).
During the meeting, the EU itself vowed to provide around 2.5 billion euros ($2.7 billion) in aid to Syria.
“The Syrians need greater support whether they are still overseas or whether they decide to go home or not. And this is why today the European Union is increasing its pledge to Syrians in the country and in the region to around 2.5 billion euros in 2025 and 2026,” said European Commission principal Ursula von der Leyen.
German Foreign Minister Analena Bearbock has announced that Berlin will provide an additional 300 million euros ($328 million) to the UN and other organizations supporting Syrians.
“With a comprehensive political process, Syria can only have a peaceful future,” Bearbock said.
The UK has pledged humanitarian aid of up to £160 million ($208 million) to help Syria recover.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the funding would “help provide important water, food, healthcare and education to Syrians in 2025.”
Last year’s Donor Drive raised 7.5 billion euros ($8.2 billion) in grants and loans to help Syrian people, but efforts to surpass those numbers have been inadequate after the US cut its foreign aid budget.
Meanwhile, for the first time, Syria was represented by interim foreign minister Assad Hassan al-Shaibani and attended the ninth meeting of its kind.
Syrian new leadership seeks to consolidate control over territory that has been devastated and divided for over a decade.
Last week, Al-Assad-loyed Alawite Minority Sect gunmen began ambushing on Syrian security patrols, which caused the worst bloodshed since the former leader overthrowed in early December.
Nearly 1,500 civilians, most members of the Alawian minority, were killed during the clash, according to the War Monitor.
Source link
