At the Syria Conference 2024 in Brussels, international leaders and donor states convened to address the ongoing crisis in Syria. Amnesty International urged EU leaders to protect Syrian refugees facing abuse in Lebanon and called for an immediate cessation of the crackdown on refugees. Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi highlighted the severe funding shortfall, noting that last year's funding was at 29% and is expected to be even less this year. EU's Josep Borrell emphasized that conditions for the safe, voluntary return of Syrian refugees are not in place, placing responsibility on Syria's Assad. Lebanon's Foreign Minister described the country as an 'open air prison' and stated that refugees pose an 'existential threat'. The conference saw nearly €5 billion pledged for Syrian refugees, although donor fatigue remains a significant challenge. The United States announced an additional $593 million in humanitarian aid, bringing its total assistance to over $17.8 billion since 2012. UN Refugees Chief Filippo Grandi indicated that most Syrians wish to return home eventually, but current polling shows only 1% hope to return within a year.
Syria, donors must step up to help refugees return, UN refugee chief says https://t.co/n0zmLMCbz6 https://t.co/Lh6loPTnIV
In another questionable decision, the Biden administration is about to give $593 million to Syria to promote women and LGBT rights. This brings US aid to Syria to almost $2 billion since the start of 2023. We can be sure none of this money went to Hezbollah because Assad said so.
Lebanon's shift from safe haven to hostile country for Syrian refugees https://t.co/EXE8pbKnc9
🔵 SYRIA, DONORS MUST STEP UP TO HELP REFUGEES RETURN, UN REFUGEE CHIEF SAYS Full Story → https://t.co/b4mAfKlFZn The Syrian government and international aid donors must both do more if they want millions of Syrians forced to flee the country by war to return home, the U.N.'s… https://t.co/odpENR8bqs
At Brussels donors conference, EU holds pledged funds to Syria assistance and regional crisis response steady through 2025: https://t.co/jLbj7yFpin
.@TheNationalNews' @Sunniva_Rose on tensions between European donors and regional hosting countries at Syria aid conference, as Lebanese and Jordanians push Europeans to encourage voluntary returns while Europeans insist conditions not met: https://t.co/jfRoLLqysP
Yesterday, the international community stepped up in #Brussels at #SyriaConf2024 -- the € raise below is encouraging, given the state of donor strain. *BUT* €8.54bn was raised a year ago and only 6% of pledges have been paid-in by donors in 2024. Pledges must become reality. https://t.co/9zdvPdQiup
Donor fatigue persists as nations commit around $8.1 billion for conflict-hit Syrians https://t.co/LbQoCiemMY
The United States continues to lead the humanitarian response for Syria, with more than $17.8 billion in humanitarian assistance since 2012. Today’s additional $593 million will help more than 22 million people in need of lifesaving aid.
Nearly €5 billion pledged for Syrian refugees https://t.co/FB94qvwAMu https://t.co/dNIeET9jc3
Donor fatigue persists as nations commit around US$8.1 billion for conflict-hit Syrians https://t.co/yUSc7M42GM
Amnesty urged world leaders at the EU Ministerial Conference in Brussels to protect Syrian refugees in Lebanon amid escalating abuse and hateful rhetoric https://t.co/KRH7HOkPlG
At #SyriaConf2024, @UN @Refugees chief @FilippoGrandi said polling showed that "most Syrians want to return to #Syria, eventually." That's NOT what @UN polling shows. In fact, its latest polling said: - Hope to return within 1yr? 1% yes. - 5yrs? 25% yes. - One day? 40% yes. https://t.co/9SPYxcRi5W
At #SyriaConf2024, @UN @Refugees chief @FilippoGrandi said polling showed that "most Syrians want to return to #Syria, eventually." That's NOT what @UN polling shows. In fact, its latest polling said: - Hope to return within 1yr? 94% No. - 5yrs? 25% yes. - One day? 40%. https://t.co/VvNdHHBozG
#Lebanon's FM is currently telling #SyriaConf2024 that #Syria refugees must now return to #Syria & those that won't must be "resettled in a third country." "#Lebanon has become an open air prison. We cannot keep these refugees anymore... they are an existential threat to us." https://t.co/XfdFddNHlS
⚠️ EU'S BORRELL: **CONDITIONS FOR SAFE, VOLUNTARY RETURN OF SYRIAN REFUGEES TO SYRIA NOT IN PLACE **SYRIA'S ASSAD BEARS RESPONSIBILITY FOR INABILITY OF SYRIA'S TO RETURN HOME **EU EXPECTS REGIONAL NEIGHBOURS HOSTING SYRIAN REFUGEES TO ABIDE BY INTERNATIONAL LAW, REJECTS…
⚠️ EU'S BORRELL: CONDITIONS FOR SAFE, VOLUNTARY RETURN OF SYRIAN REFUGEES TO SYRIA NOT IN PLACE
Amnesty Intl: Donors at humanitarian conference 4 #Syria must press #Lebanon to immediately cease unprecedented crackdown on Syrian refugees, lift abusive measures aimed at pressuring them to leave despite well-documented risks they could face upon return https://t.co/BoWGM9EXg3
"We'd love to continue to provide the same level of services to #Syria refugees, but the truth is, we cannot with current levels of funding." Last year, funding for our response was 29%; this year, it will be even less." - #Jordan FM @AymanHsafadi, speaking at #SyriaConf2024: https://t.co/n0MoX7hLTc
I'm here in #Brussels today, as Foreign Ministers & senior officials from the international community are convening for #SyriaConf2024. While crises persist elsewhere, #Syria's continues to worsen -- donor states must step up today, or face the consequences down the line. https://t.co/XgFdO0Gnqi
Amnesty urges EU leaders to protect Syrian refugees facing abuse in Lebanon https://t.co/KRH7HOkPlG