United States Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Syria

Today, U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power announced nearly $593 million in U.S. humanitarian assistance for Syria at the Brussels VIII Conference on “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region.”

The announcement brings the total U.S. government humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region to nearly $2 billion since the beginning of FY 2023 and more than $17.8 billion since the start of the 13-year crisis. This life-saving assistance from the American people includes nearly $360 million through the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and more than $233 million through the United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. The United States remains committed to assisting the Syrian people and encourages other donors to continue their support for Syrians who face severe challenges from years of war, terrorism, and natural disasters.

The assistance announced in Brussels will address humanitarian needs arising from historic levels of displacement, with more than 16.7 million Syrians in need within Syria and nearly 6 million Syrian refugees across the region. In her statement, Administrator Power expressed concern about the deteriorating situation for refugees in the region, including increased anti-refugee rhetoric, and reaffirmed that any return of Syrian refugees should be safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable.

Humanitarian assistance announced at the Ministerial includes:

• Assistance provided through international organization partners to meet the needs of the most vulnerable refugees, internally displaced people, and host communities, including emergency shelter; food assistance; access to health care and education; water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies; support for livelihoods; and protection for those in situations of vulnerability, including women, children and youth, LGBTQI+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.
• Support through partnerships with international and local non-governmental organizations as they work with governments around the region to provide life-saving support and protection to host communities, refugees, and asylum seekers.

Administrator Power emphasized that a political solution in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 remains the only way to end the suffering of the Syrian people. She also stressed the United States will continue promoting respect for the dignity and human rights of all Syrians and continue supporting Syrian civil society in pursuing justice and accountability for human rights violations and abuses.