Syria Donors Pledge $6.5B in Aid       03/18 06:10

   

   BRUSSELS (AP) -- International donors on Monday pledged almost 6 billion 
euros ($6.5 billion) in aid for Syria, hoping to encourage the new leaders of 
the conflict-ravaged country toward a peaceful political transition following 
the ouster of President Bashar Assad in December.

   Ministers and representatives from Western partners, Syria's regional 
neighbors, other Arab countries and U.N. agencies attended the one-day meeting 
in Brussels, organized in haste by the European Union amid change sweeping the 
country.

   The European Commission said that 4.2 billion euros ($4.6 billion) were 
offered in the form of grants, and 1.6 billion euros ($1.7 billion) in low 
interest loans. Some of the money was pledged over multiple years, making it 
extremely difficult to calculate an amount for 2025.

   Last year, donors committed to provide 7.5 billion euros ($8.1 billion) in 
grants and loans.

   Opening the conference, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen 
said that the EU was increasing its pledge to Syrians in the country and the 
region to almost 2.5 billion euros ($2.7 billion) for 2025 and 2026, and urged 
others to step up.

   "At this critical time, the people of Syria need us more than ever," von der 
Leyen said.

   Germany said it would pledge around 300 million euros ($326 million) to help 
deal with the fallout from Syria's civil war. More than half would be used to 
help people in Syria, with other funding supporting Syrians and communities 
elsewhere. Britain said that it was pledging up to $208 million.

   Natasha Franceschi, U.S. deputy assistant secretary for the Levant and 
Syria, said the United States has provided more assistance to the Syrian people 
than any other nation over the last 14 years, but she did not announce any 
pledge of money.

   "We will continue to provide certain assistance in line with U.S. policies 
and laws, but we also now expect that other nations are going to help shoulder 
the financial burden," she told the conference. The Trump administration is 
currently reviewing all foreign aid.

   Syria's new leaders are trying to consolidate control over territory that 
was divided into de facto mini-states during nearly 14 years of civil war, and 
to rebuild the economy and infrastructure. The United Nations has estimated 
that it would cost at least $250 billion to rebuild Syria, while experts say 
that could reach at least $400 billion.

   At the same time, Western governments are cutting back on aid spending, in 
part to use in defense budgets.

   "We will give more, but we cannot fill the gap left by the U.S.," EU Crisis 
Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib told reporters. "We will need to share the 
burden."

   Security concerns

   Security concerns are also making donors hesitate. Last week, an ambush on a 
Syrian security patrol by gunmen loyal to Assad triggered clashes. Some 
factions allied with the new government launched sectarian revenge attacks -- 
primarily targeting Assad's Alawite minority sect -- that monitoring groups say 
killed hundreds of civilians over several days.

   Despite this, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani urged the 
donors to help "reconstruction efforts, encourage investment in Syria, and 
support sustainable development projects that will create opportunities, 
generate jobs, improve living standards, and restore hope to millions of 
Syrians."

   He vowed that the new Syrian government would work with partners "to ensure 
that aid reaches those who deserve it from all regions and communities, and to 
create appropriate and dignified conditions for the safe, voluntary return of 
all refugees."

   The 27-nation EU has begun to ease energy, transport and financial sector 
sanctions to encourage the new authorities, but many other Western sanctions 
remain in place. The bloc can reintroduce sanctions if things don't go to the 
liking of Western backers.

   Syria's foreign minister said that lifting the measures is no longer just a 
government demand but "a humanitarian and moral necessity."

   "We cannot talk about economic recovery and humanitarian development in 
Syria while restrictions continue to prevent even the arrival of medical 
equipment and spare parts to repair damaged hospitals and essential service 
facilities," al-Shibani said.

   Syria's economy, infrastructure and institutions are in tatters. As a failed 
state, it could become another haven for extremists.

   Amy Pope, director-general of the International Organization for Migration, 
urged donors to seize this opportunity to encourage the interim government to 
move in the right direction.

   "It's critical that countries take advantage of the moment we're in," Pope 
told The Associated Press.

   "Of course, we all want to see an inclusive Syria," she said. "We want to 
make sure there's accountability for human rights violations. But the answer is 
to engage more, not to engage less."

   Economic and humanitarian needs

   Syrians have only a few hours of electricity each day. Water supplies are 
unreliable and often unsafe. Unemployment runs to 80% or 90%. Destruction is 
widespread.

   Infrastructure, health and education must be scaled up. Jobs and cash for 
work programs are needed so that Syrians can start to make a living.

   Many government employees and experts needed to rebuild fled after the 2011 
Arab Spring democracy movement collapsed into conflict and authoritarian rule 
under Assad.

   The U.N. refugee agency said that last year around 7 million people were 
displaced in Syria. More than 4.7 million refugees are registered in 
neighboring countries, most in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.