International Donors Pledge €5.8 Billion for Syrian Aid at Brussels Conference

At the Brussels conference, donors pledged €5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) in aid for Syria, falling short of the previous year’s total. The EU led contributions, with notable support from Germany and the UK. The U.S. called for increased support from other nations and emphasized its long-standing assistance. For the first time, Syria’s transitional government participated, requesting greater aid and easing of sanctions.

During a recent conference in Brussels, international donors pledged approximately €5.8 billion (around $6.3 billion) in aid for Syria. This commitment, made at the ninth edition of the Brussels Conference entitled “Standing with Syria: Meeting the Needs for a Successful Transition,” was notably less than the previous year’s contributions, indicative of a decline in American funding.

The European Union took a leading role in the pledges, contributing nearly €2.5 billion (about $2.7 billion) aimed at assisting Syrians both within the country and in neighboring regions. Significant contributions also came from Germany at $330 million and the United Kingdom at $210 million, although the total support still fell short of the €7.5 billion pledged in the previous year.

U.S. representative Natasha Franceschi refrained from announcing new American aid, urging other nations to increase their financial contributions. She noted, “During the last 14 years, the United States has provided more assistance for the Syrian people than any other nation, more than $18.3 billion.” Franceschi emphasized the necessity for global partners to share the financial responsibilities moving forward.

This conference marked a significant development as Syria’s transitional government was involved for the first time, with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani appealing to donors for increased aid and a relaxation of sanctions that have hindered assistance efforts.

The Brussels conference saw international donors pledging €5.8 billion in aid for Syria, but the amount represented a decline compared to last year’s commitments. The European Union, alongside Germany and the United Kingdom, made substantial contributions. The U.S. urged other countries to participate more robustly in support efforts while Syria’s transitional government made its first appearance at the conference, advocating for increased assistance and reduced sanctions.

Original Source: shafaq.com