The British government will release 50 million pounds (60.1 million euros) to help the most vulnerable Syrians in , Lebanon and Jordan, the British Foreign Office announced today.
“The fall of the appalling regime offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the people of Syria,” said Foreign Secretary David Lammy. “We are committed to supporting the Syrian people as they chart a new course.”
This financial contribution, which will be paid mainly to its services, is expected to urgently strengthen the humanitarian aid provided to the Syrian population, especially in basic goods, and restore the operation of basic services, such as hospitals and schools.
At the same time, London is announcing financial aid of 120,000 pounds (144,300 euros) to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), in order to support its work to eliminate chemical weapons in the country.
In addition, London intends to “work diplomatically to help ensure better governance for the future of Syria”, assured David Lammy, adding that “it is important that the future Syrian government includes all parties to consolidate stability and respect that the Syrian people deserve”.
Why is it important?
Millions of Syrians are in need of humanitarian aid after more than a decade of civil war that has destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure and displaced large numbers of civilians. Some of the many Syrians who fled the country are returning from neighboring states.
With numbers
Thirty million pounds will provide “direct assistance to more than one million people, including food, shelter, emergency healthcare and protection for the most vulnerable”, according to the Foreign Office announcement.
This money, which will be distributed mostly through UN channels, will support “emerging needs including the restoration of basic services such as water, hospitals and schools.”
To help Syrians in neighboring countries, £10 million will go to the World Food Program (WFP) in Lebanon and £10 million will go to Jordan through WFP and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
RES/EMP
