UK announces £50m of emergency humanitarian funding for Syria – Bond response
On Sunday 15 December, the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, announced £50m of humanitarian assistance for vulnerable Syrians across the Middle East following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
The emergency support will be delivered through the UN and NGOs to people in the country, in addition to refugees in Lebanon and Jordan, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said.
In reaction to the announcement, Gideon Rabinowitz, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Bond said:
We welcome the UK government’s £50 million commitment to support vulnerable Syrians. This is a vital step in addressing the urgent needs of communities devastated by more than a decade of conflict and displacement. To be effective, this support must be guided by the principle of humanitarian neutrality and targeted at Syrian-led organisations that are established in affected communities. Strengthening local responders is essential for help to be provided with dignity and aimed for a long-term impact.
However, this announcement comes amid significant cuts to the UK aid budget, raising concerns about the consistency of its humanitarian commitments. Gradually scaling up the UK aid budget to previous levels and ensuring sustainable, multi-year funding are crucial to delivering both immediate relief and long-term resilience to impacted communities in the Middle East and elsewhere. We hope the government can use this as a springboard to make this an integral part of a coherent humanitarian strategy in the context of the UK’s wider approach to the world, one that tackles the root causes of global crises.
ENDS.
Notes for editors
- Read this blog from Bond member organisation, Institute of Development Studies (IDS) on the task of rebuilding Syria following the fall of the Assad regime.
- Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 350 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
- For further information or interviews please contact Jess Salter at [email protected] or call 07392972411.
