UK Pledges £50 Mln in Humanitarian Aid for Syria

The UK government has announced a £50 million humanitarian aid package to support vulnerable Syrians in the wake of the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

The funding will be allocated to provide critical assistance through UN and NGO partners to those inside Syria, as well as refugees in Lebanon and Jordan, according to the Foreign Office.

This emergency response follows a week after the collapse of Assad's regime, which was precipitated by a swift offensive from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group.

The UK’s support aims to address urgent needs, with £30 million allocated for food, shelter, and healthcare within Syria, and £20 million designated for the World Food Programme and UNHCR in Lebanon and Jordan.

Additionally, £120,000 will go to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to support the dismantling of Syria’s chemical arsenal.

The UK's intervention is part of broader international talks on Syria’s future, held in Aqaba, Jordan, where representatives from the US, EU, and regional partners discussed the need for a non-sectarian, inclusive government.

The UK’s Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, emphasized the importance of building a peaceful, stable Syria, urging adherence to principles that safeguard human rights, ensure access to humanitarian aid, and address terrorism.

Amid concerns over the rise of groups like HTS and the potential for an ISIS resurgence, the UK remains committed to supporting the Syrian people and working toward diplomatic solutions for a democratic and unified future.

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, echoed the need for caution in the aftermath of Assad’s removal, urging careful consideration of the political transition to avoid exacerbating regional instability.