On Tuesday, at the fifth Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region, international donors pledged $6.4 billion towards helping Syrian refugees. The virtual conference, which was co-chaired by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) and brought together States, regional organisations, UN agencies, and humanitarian groups, “reiterated the political, humanitarian and financial commitment of the international community towards the Syrian people.” It also renewed global support to Syria’s neighbours “in addressing the immediate and long-term challenges brought upon them by the conflict”, including the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
However, the amount raised during the virtual meet fell short of the $10 billion target set by the UN. On the eve of the summit, UN officials urged the international community to strengthen their efforts to help the millions of refugees in Syria and the region who are in need of humanitarian aid. A statement released by the European Commission said that the funds would be used to provide relief to the refugees in Syria as well as to the neighbouring countries hosting them. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borell was quoted as saying that he hoped for a “future in which all Syrians will feel safe, free and have a dignified life.”
Brussels V is the ninth such international conference that has taken place since the Syrian civil war began in 2011. The first three conferences were held from 2013 to 2015 in Kuwait, the 2016 edition was in London, and the last four have taken place in Brussels since 2017. The objective of the gathering is to “continue supporting the Syrian people and mobilise the international community” in order to achieve a “credible political solution” to the Syrian conflict, as per the terms set by the UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which calls for a ceasefire and political settlement in Syria.
At the meeting, the United States’ (US) ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas Greenfield, pledged more than $596 million in new humanitarian assistance towards the ongoing Syrian crisis and urged the international community to allow unhindered humanitarian access to all Syrians, including through cross-border aid. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made the revelation in a press statement later in the day, wherein he also took aim at Russia and the Assad government, saying that they were responsible for “innumerable atrocities” committed against the Syrian people. On Monday, Blinken called on the UN Security Council to reopen border crossings into Syria—which have been closed due to Russian and Chinese opposition—saying that there was “no good reason” for them to remain closed. He also criticised the Russian bombing of a border crossing last week as it could lead to aid being “halted altogether.”
Contributions also came from Qatar, which pledged $100 million to “alleviate the crisis”, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which promised $30 million. Pledges were also made by other countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
The conference was held just two weeks after the tenth anniversary of the conflict. During a decade of war, Syria has seen innumerable atrocities committed by different actors against its population and has become the site of one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. In light of this, the Brussels conference aims to “bring representatives from Syrian, regional and international non-governmental and civil society organisations together with policymakers” to address its consequences, and “save lives on the ground.”
International Donors Pledge $6.4 Billion Towards Future of Syria at Brussels Conference
The Brussels conference aims to “bring representatives from Syrian, regional and international non-governmental and civil society organisations together with policy makers.”
March 31, 2021
SOURCE: BULENT KILIC/AFP