Syria conference in Brussels raises $10.5B in grants, loans

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - The 7th Brussels Conference to support the future of Syria and the region collectively raised €9.6 billion ($10.5 billion) on Thursday in support for Syrian refugees and their host communities.

"I believe that this is a tangible demonstration that the international community stands by the Syrian people," European Union Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said during his concluding remarks.

Lenarcic announced that the total pledge of grants is €5.6 billion, of which €4.6 billion is for 2023 and €1 billion is for 2024 and beyond.

The EU and its member states represent 70% of the grants pledged, with €3.8 billion, he said.

In addition to the grants, he said, international financial institutions and donors have announced loans on concessional terms in the amount of €4 billion.

Lenarcic noted that the figure is €800 million more than last year's donation and thanked all donors for their continued generosity.

Also, the German Foreign Office said that Germany pledged €1 billion at the Syria conference "to alleviate the plight of people in Syria and of the women, men and children who have had to flee to Syria's neighboring countries."

Syria has been mired in a vicious civil war since 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests.

Over 300,000 people have since been killed and more than 12 million have fled their homes, becoming refugees or internally displaced, according to the EU.

Türkiye is the largest host country for Syrian refugees and provides international protection to nearly 4 million people who fled the neighboring country, according to official figures.