Syrian crisis: EU pledges EUR 100 million for humanitarian aid

January 30, 2013.

    Syrian crisis: EU pledges EUR 100 million for humanitarian aid
    
    The European Commission will pledge EUR 100 million of humanitarian funding at the International Pledging Conference for Syria convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and hosted by Kuwait on 30 January.
    
    This funding, to be disbursed in 2013, will add to the EUR 100 million already contracted for the crisis in 2011-2012.
    
    These vital funds will provide assistance to some of the 4 million people in need of aid in Syria, including two million displaced, as well as to 700,000 refugees to date.
    
    The additional funds will cover the top priority needs in Syria and neighbouring countries: emergency medical response, with both medical and psycho-social care to the wounded and the traumatized; provision of food and safe water; provision of shelter and thus protection of refugees.
    
    Prior to her departure for the Conference, Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, said: “This funding is a concrete expression of the unwavering solidarity of Europeans with all those affected by the Syrian crisis. Funding is key in avoiding a further deterioration of this massive humanitarian crisis”.
    Over the last six months of 2012, the number of civilian casualties has more than doubled. According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the violence has led to the killing of over 60,000 men, women and children.