International donors, spearheaded by the EU, have pledged a generous five billion euros ($5.4 billion) to support Syrian refugees, with a strong emphasis on not pushing them back to their war-ravaged homeland. The EU committed 2.12 billion euros for 2024 and 2025, including funds for displaced Syrians in neighboring countries and within Syria. Additionally, one billion euros was pledged for refugees in Turkey.
The dire humanitarian situation in Syria, with 16.7 million people needing assistance, highlights the urgent need for support. Despite the significant pledges, including 2.5 billion euros in loans, the funding falls short of the immense needs of the Syrian population. The US also pledged nearly 545 million euros in aid for Syria, emphasizing the commitment to assisting Syrian people.
As regional countries push for voluntary returns of refugees to Syria, EU officials cautioned against forcing people back to a dangerous environment. With the conflict lingering for over 13 years and no substantial progress in political solutions, the focus remains on providing essential aid and urging for diplomatic efforts to address the crisis.