International Donors Pledge 5.8 Billion Euros for Syria Amid Ongoing Crisis

International donors pledged 5.8 billion euros in aid for Syria at the Brussels IX Conference, a significant decrease from 7.5 billion euros last year. While the EU increased its commitment, U.S. contributions are under scrutiny. The humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire, with millions in need of assistance amid ongoing violence and challenges in governance.

On March 17, 2025, during the Brussels IX Conference, international donors pledged a total of 5.8 billion euros ($6.3 billion) in aid for Syria. This commitment, primarily led by the European Union, represents a decrease from the 7.5 billion euros pledged at the previous year’s conference. The reduction was influenced by diminishing U.S. support amid shifting foreign policy priorities.

The conference marked a significant development as Syrian interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani represented his country for the first time at this annual event. The ongoing civil war, which has lasted for 14 years, has caused extensive regional instability and an outflow of millions of refugees, prompting both Western and regional powers to seek ways to restore stability to Syria.

Notably, the pledged funds include 4.2 billion euros in grants and 1.6 billion euros in loans. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted that Brussels will increase its support to approximately 2.5 billion euros ($2.7 billion) for this year and the next, emphasizing that Syrians require more comprehensive assistance regardless of their location.

Contributions from individual nations are also notable, with Germany providing around $330 million and the United Kingdom contributing $210 million. However, a representative from the U.S. did not confirm any new funding, underlining the expectation that other nations must take on more financial responsibilities. Over the past 14 years, the U.S. has supplied over $18.3 billion in assistance to Syria.

Following the aid discussions, Syria’s transitional leaders, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, have requested greater international assistance for reconstruction while acknowledging the EU’s recent easing of sanctions. Al-Shibani expressed gratitude for these measures but insisted that further action is necessary to facilitate effective recovery.

The humanitarian crisis in Syria persists, with an estimated 16.7 million people currently requiring assistance. International humanitarian efforts remain essential, according to Mirjana Spoljaric of the International Committee of the Red Cross, who warned against reducing support at this critical time. The speed of Syria’s recovery is alarmingly slow, with the UN estimating that it could take over 50 years to restore the economy to pre-war levels.

The recent commitment of 5.8 billion euros by international donors highlights the ongoing need for aid in Syria, even though it marks a decline from previous years. The humanitarian crisis remains severe, necessitating continued support from the international community. Despite positive steps from the new Syrian authorities, challenges such as violence and economic devastation persist, presenting significant obstacles to the country’s recovery.

Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com