12 février 2016
Since the beginning of the conflict in Syria, 6 years ago, more than half of all Syrians were forced to abandon their homes, over 250,000 people were killed and 12.2 million people inside the country are in need of humanitarian assistance. Syria sees at this moment the biggest humanitarian crisis worldwide.
In an effort to raise important new funding to address the immediate and longer-term needs of those affected by the Syrian crisis, leaders from UK, Germany, Kuwait, Norway and the UN co-hosted the Supporting Syria & the Region Conference on 4 February in London.
The donor conference has raised $11 billion in aid for the humanitarian crisis, as well as pledges to support 1.7 million children in education and convey 1.1 million jobs across the region.
In his opening remarks, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, welcomed the shared commitment of the participants to the conference “to use their influence to end sieges and other grave human rights abuses” and he urged on the need of providing humanitarian access to besieged Syrians in regions out of reach. Ban Ki-moon also called on world leaders to pressure the actors involved in the conflict to engage actively in the negotiations, now appointed for 25 February.
The objectives of this conference were also to put forward educational and economic opportunities to transform the lives of Syrian refugees and to support the countries hosting them. In this regard, the hosting countries in the region committed to give refugees access to labour market and education. From their part, donors engage themselves to support employment creation programs and leading private sector have shown their willingness to help bring new investment that will enable job creation and decent work.
Several NGOs present at this meeting among which, Amnesty International, Oxfam, Save the Children, Sawa Aid and Development welcomed the initiative and the funds raised so far, although draw attention that to cover urgent needs of conflict-affected Syrians $3bn at least are essential.
Moreover, in a joint set of recommendations the group of NGOs raises awareness on the fact that it is critical that the UN Humanitarian Response Plan for Syria and that the 3RP Regional Refugee & Resilience Plan 2016-2017 is fully supported and implemented in all host countries.
Civil Society urged for joint efforts and commitments from the international community who must carry out the improvement of protection, educational and economic opportunities for Syrians.
“The money pledged today will go some way towards alleviating the suffering of the millions of conflict-affected Syrians inside and outside of the country, but more needs to be done to end the sieges and ensure humanitarian access to all areas. Furthermore, the overall amount pledged falls short of what is urgently needed,” said Salma Kahale, Executive Director of Dawlaty.
For additional information on this conference:
- Supporting Syria & the Region conference concept note
- UN Secretary-General opening remarks to the Supporting Syria & the Region conference
- Co-hosts declaration from the Supporting Syria & the Region Conference, 4 February 2016
- Joint position paper of the civil society representatives to the conference
- Key documents from the Supporting Syria & the Region Conference