Germany Pledges €300 Mln in Aid for Syria

Germany has announced an additional €300 million ($326 million) in humanitarian aid for the Syrian people, ahead of the European Union's donor conference in Brussels.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock confirmed that more than half of the funds will directly support Syrians without the involvement of the Syrian transitional government.

The aid will be delivered through the United Nations and selected organizations, focusing on providing food, healthcare services, emergency shelters, and protection for the most vulnerable groups.

In addition, Syrian refugees and host communities in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Turkey will also benefit from the assistance.

Baerbock emphasized the need for a comprehensive political process to achieve lasting peace in Syria, stating that Europe stands united for a free and peaceful Syria.

The aid announcement comes as Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani heads to Brussels to attend the donor conference, alongside dozens of European and Arab ministers and representatives of international organizations.

Since 2017, the EU has hosted this conference without the participation of the Assad government due to the civil war that erupted in 2011.

However, following the removal of Assad in December, EU officials aim to use this event as a fresh start, despite recent violence in the Syrian coastal region.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas highlighted the urgent humanitarian needs in Syria, while expressing hope for progress after the March 10 agreement to integrate the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the new Syrian state institutions.

The EU is willing to engage with Syria's new leadership, as long as they commit to an inclusive and peaceful transition.

The conference is seen as particularly crucial due to the significant cuts in humanitarian and development aid programs by the US under President Donald Trump.

Last year’s conference secured €7.5 billion ($8.1 billion) in grants and loans, with the EU pledging €2.12 billion for 2024 and 2025.

According to the EU, 16.5 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance, including 12.9 million suffering from food insecurity.