Alarmed reactions followed the Brussels V Conference after UN member states cut funding for Syria. Prior to the event, the UN had reported that around US$4.2 billion was needed for the Humanitarian Response Plan in Syria and US$5.8 billion was required for the Syria Regional Response Plan. However, during the conference held on March 30, countries expressed their willingness to donate US$4.4 billion (€3.6 billion) for 2021 and around US$2 billion (€1.7 billion) for 2022 and beyond. Immediately after the event, 37 humanitarian organizations voiced their views, warning the world is failing to sufficiently protect the Syrian people.
According to the summary published by the UNOCHA, 13.4 million people in Syria – a 21% increase compared to 2020 – are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance but there is a shortfall of US$4.2 billion to cover this. The COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened the already damaged economy, leaving 50% of the working-age population unemployed.
It is estimated that 80% of Syria’s population lives below the poverty line. Remittances, on which millions of Syrians rely, are understood to have shrunk from US$1.6 billion in 2019 to US$800 million in 2020 due to global economic shocks. Furthermore, the crisis in Syria threatens regional stability leaving over 10 million people requiring support in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey.
The Fifth Brussels Conference
The Fifth Brussels Conference on “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region” co-chaired by the European Union and the United Nations took place on 29 and 30 of March 2021 in Brussels, with the aim of pledging funds for Syria’s humanitarian crisis and to strengthen the commitments of parties in support of Syrians and people most affected by the conflict. The event was organized in two rounds. On 29 of March, the event offered a floor for discussions among civil society, the private sector, member States, inter-agencies, and ministry representatives to address issues arising from surveys and consultations. On 30 of March 2021, a ministerial-level pledging event took place. During the conference, contributors declared that funds were intended for both Syria and the region as a whole. Overall, the participants donated US$4.4 billion (€3.6 billion) for 2021 and about US$2 billion (€1.7 billion) for 2022 and beyond.
The reaction of the humanitarian organizations
Immediately after the conference, in reaction to the pledges, 37 humanitarian organizations expressed their disappointment pointing out that the pledges failed Syrians.
Moutaz Adham, Oxfam Syria’s Country Director said: “The money pledged confirms fears that donors are not listening to the pleas of the millions of Syrians who have fled their homes and had their lives torn apart by ten years of conflict. While violence may have subsided in some parts, millions of Syrians in Syria and the region are still struggling to survive and are now facing the impact of a global pandemic, spiraling unemployment, and economic collapse. Many stated at the Brussels Conference that aid was needed now more than ever. Yet this funding sends a bleak message to those trying to find a future after ten years of darkness and despair.”
Following up with one of the participating organizations, DevelopmentAid discovered that the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated an ongoing economic collapse in the country, leaving close to 90% of people below the poverty line and 12.4 million people facing food insecurity (up from 7.9 million just a year ago). In this regard, a higher level of financial pledges would have sent an important message to Syrian inhabitants and the non-profit organizations working in the region. In terms of just the humanitarian response, it would have sustained the immediate scale-up of the humanitarian response which includes resilience and early recovery.
In their message, aid agencies emphasized the urgency of finding sufficient resources to fight the emergency brought about by the Syrian crisis. They mentioned that support today is needed more than ever and the reduction in funds could be critical for many Syrians. Furthermore, they found it extremely disappointing that two main donors, the UK and the US, had cut back their funding.
