International donors pledged €5.8 billion for Syria to aid reconstruction efforts following the removal of President Bashar Assad. Key contributions came from Germany and Britain, with the EU allocating significant funds for humanitarian support. Despite some advances, ongoing violence remains a concern, with calls for accountability and inclusive governance from new leadership.
International donors pledged nearly €6 billion ($6.5 billion) in aid for Syria during a conference in Brussels on Monday. This funding aims to assist new leaders in rebuilding the country following the ousting of President Bashar Assad in December. After 14 years of civil conflict, western and regional powers seek to stabilize Syria, which has seen millions of refugees fleeing its borders.
For the first time, representatives from the new Syrian authorities, led by Interim Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shibani, participated in the conference. However, recent violent outbreaks have raised concerns about the leadership’s ability to govern effectively. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that Brussels would allocate approximately €2.5 billion this year and next for humanitarian aid in Syria and neighboring countries.
The European Commission reported a total of €4.2 billion offered as grants coupled with €1.6 billion in low-interest loans. Von der Leyen emphasized, “Syrians need greater support, whether they are still abroad or they decide to go home.”
Individual countries contributed significantly, with Germany pledging around €300 million and Britain about €192 million. Last year’s fundraising effort garnered €7.5 billion for Syrian assistance, but the current endeavors faced challenges due to reductions in US foreign aid under President Donald Trump. US Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Levant and Syria, Natasha Franceschi, highlighted America’s substantial humanitarian contributions while stopping short of announcing new funds.
French and German diplomats are advocating for a fresh approach towards the new Syrian leadership. EU Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib indicated, “We will give more, but we cannot fill the gap left by the US. We will need to share the burden.”
Syria’s leadership, under Ahmed al-Sharaa, is actively seeking assistance for national recovery. Although the EU has eased some sanctions, it retains conditions that promotions for inclusive governance must be honored. Shibani expressed appreciation for these concessions but called for further actions to secure recovery.
Despite some progress in governance, such as signing a constitutional declaration for transitional policies, renewed violence on Syria’s coast has caused setbacks. Recent reports indicate security forces killed nearly 1,500 civilians in violent clashes, predominantly from the Alawite minority. Shibani reassured the conference that accountability would be pursued against those guilty of violence. Furthermore, he asserted the importance of citizenship for all Syrians, regardless of their ethnic or religious identity.
The EU has emphasized aiding Syrian refugees but traditionally avoided collaboration with the Assad regime. Syria’s needs are extensive, with a considerable part of its territory in ruins and an estimated 16.7 million people requiring assistance, as reported by the United Nations.
The recent pledge of €5.8 billion for humanitarian support signals a renewed international commitment to aid Syria’s reconstruction following years of civil strife. Collaborative efforts among European nations aim to restore stability, yet there are significant challenges ahead, including political violence and the necessity for inclusive governance. Continued international consensus on humanitarian assistance remains crucial in addressing the dire conditions faced by millions of Syrians.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
